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VOLL .»iiS XXV.
Thomson, McDuffie county, Georgia, February 29, 1924.
TO INVESTIGATE
FREIGHT RATES
At a meeting of the Thomson
Chamber of Commerce Thursday
night, the matter of what appears to
be a discrimination in freight rates
against Thomson was brofight before
the body. It was stated that Thom
son is paying a much higher freight
rate than other towns on the Georgia
Railroad, and that while the railroad
might be entirely within its rights in
‘doing so, the committee was instruct
ed to find out if there is not a possi
bility of having the rates operate
more uniformly.
Freight rates is an intricate prob
lem, and there are few who under
stand their operation. The commit
tee from the Chamber of Commerce
will take the matter up with compe
tent authorities on the subject and see
what can be done about it.
Potato Curing House Discussed.
The committee appointed to inves
tigate the matter of a potato curing
house reported favorably, giving it
as their opinion that plenty of pota
toes could be secured to make it a
success. The committee was instruct
ed to ascertain what financial aid
could be secured and report at the
next meeting.
Highway Meeting Tuesday.
Mr. G. W. Jordan, president of the
Chamber of Commerce, stated that a
committee from Washington, Elber-
ton and other towns along the Cotton
Belt Highway will come in a body to
Thomson next Tuesday for the. pur
pose of holding a meeting to discuss
the highway project and make plans
for advertising same. A committee
from the Chamber of Commerce was
appointed to reeei/e the gentlemen
and co-operate who them in their
deliberations.
Chicken Sales.
Mr. Daniel, county agent, reported
that schedules are being prepared for
chicken sales during the spring
Plans are also being arranged for
adequate advertising in order to get
best results from these sales.
The Chamber decided to again be
gin the colletion of dues from its
members to defray expenses incur
red. Mr. W. C. McCommons has
this matter in charge and will pro
ceed to see the members. It was de
cided to collect only for January and
February.
Regular meetings will be held in
the future, and the officials are hope
ful that the members will take more
interest in them, as there is fine
prospects of doing something worth
while for the county and town.
HIGHWAY MEETING
HERE TUESDAY
The following letter was received
by Mr. G. W. Jordan, president of
the Thomson Chamber of Commerce,
in regard to the meeting to be held
here Tuesday:
“Dear Mr. Jordan: As per my
conversation yesterday over the
phone, the purpose of the meeting
next Tuesday, March 4th, is to form
a permanent organization and enlist
the interest and enthusiasm for the
development of the Cotton Belt High
way.
“As you are aware the route at
present is from Anderson to Way-
cross. It is to be extended from
Washington, D. C., to Jacksonville.
“I will appreciate it if you will as
sist in working up this meeting in
your city and county. Please give
the meeting all the publicity you can,
and arrange for the Executive meet
ing at City Hall at 10:30 A. M., and
a mass meeting 12 o’clock noon, at
Court House.
“Kindly notify hotels that there
will be from fifty to one hundred
visitors for dinner. All meals paid
for by guests themselves.
“Either Mr. Goodson or I will see
you before date of meeting and ad
vise you further of plans. I will ap
preciate your interest and co-oper
ation.
“R. C. NORMAN, Chairman.”
No Meeting of Parent-
Teachers For Febv.
DISPLEASED WITH
TAX ASSESSMENT
Officials of the Lullwater Manufac
turing Co., owners of the Thomson
cotton mill, are somewhat displeased
with the tax assessment of their
property. The property was bid in
at $60,000, and it is understood the
receivers had previously given it in
for $75,000, and that it was raised
by the tax assessors to $100,000.
Mr. Walter Candler, president of
the company, in discussing the
matter, has the following to say:
“We are being unjustly treated, I
think, in the matter of county taxes
by your County Board of Assessors.
The Receivers, it seems, turned in the
taxes at $75,000 but the County
Board claims that they notified the
Receivers of a raise to $100,000.
Mr. Watson, your Tax Collector,
Judge West, and others of your good
townspeople have been very kind to
us indeed in this matter, but we feel
that it is unjust to have our taxes
raised without notice to us and we
have done everything in our power
to justify the stand we are taking.
Comptroller General Wright has in
dicated that if we have received no
notice of the raise we are not subject
to tax on the increased amount. We
have furnished affidavits to this effect
and, yet, some of your Board of As
sessors are still tenaciously holding
to their position.”
The DIGEST
The meetings of the Parent-Teach
ers Association having been postpon
ed from time to time on account of
bad weather, and the February meet-
ing having been postponed to next
Tuesday, it has been decided to not
have any February meeting and de
fer same to the regular March ses
sion.
The Special Tax Levy.
Editor Progress:
As a candidate for the Legislature
in 1922, I favored the passage of an
act that would keep the public fully
informed as to any act of the Leg
islature placed upon the statute
books.
I herewith quote the paragraph re
ferred to at that time, as having
reference to this subject as follows:
“In order to familiarize the people
with the laws' under which they are
to be governed, and to encourage
obedience to same, it should be made
compulsory to post in all public
places, and in all public schools, a
copy of each law hereafter enacted,
and placed on the statute books.”
Today we were visited by one of
those special state tax deputies, who
advised us that we were due the
state a special tax, covered by an act
of the Legislature in 1922. When we
advised him that we were ignorant
of the levying of this special tax, he
informed us that hundreds of those
visited in his district had never been
informed of this assessment, but he
knew of no instance where ignorance
of this special tax cancelled the as
sessment, and the most cruel feature
in this connection is the fact that
we are now called upon to pay a
penalty of twenty per cent for our
failure to comply with a law that we
did not know existed.
After looking over the list of those
caught in the meshes of this special
tax net, I am reminded of the fact
that we have a law in this state that
will put a man on the \;haingang for
vagrancy if you refuse to work,
while on the other hand, we have a
law in this state that will tax you
out of existence if you attempt to
work. You may take your choice.
There is another side to this mat
ter which we cannot afford to over
look, namely: The tendency of con
centration.
Our advalorem tax having reached
the constitutional limit, we find that
we are still short funds necessary for
the maintainance of hundreds of use
less offices with which this state is
sorely afflicted. -Consequently, it
becomes necessary to levy a special
tax, and at the rate at which we are
now drifting, it is only a matter of
a short while until the fellow who has
made an honest living as the pro
prietor of his little shop, will .find
himself taxed out of business, and his
interest consumed by the larger con
cern which will gather strength as
the little fellows are set aside, until
automatically a monopoly of the
various lines of business will be es
tablished that will defy competition.
Yours truly,
J. P. WILSON;
BoneviJle, Ga.
DEATH OF CHILD.
Mary Elizabeth, the little five year
old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. A.
Johnson, of West Thomson, died
Wednesday after an illness of sev
eral days of pneumonia following
measles.
pa-pnpuoo 3J3AV S3DIAJ3S je-isun^
from the home Thursday afternoon
by Rov. C. C. Kiser, interment being
at Wast View cemeterv.
Washington, D. C., Feb. 27.
DEBTOR NATIONS CF U. S.
The United States Debt Commis
sion has issued a statement saying
that all the fereign debts, issued on
account of the war “are receiving the
constant attention of the commis
sion.”
FARMERS DIAGNOSE THEIR
TROUBLES.
Forty-two per cent of the farmers
soi^piDiyip pjiDinjuy -iio'-H WT1 I 3a J
are due to low prices of farm pro
ducts, the United States Department
of Agriculture says. Seventeen per
cent attribute their condition to high
taxes; 11 per cent to high costs for
farm labor; 10 per cent to high
freight rates; 10 per cent to high in
terest rates; 6 per cent to reckless
expenditures during the boom period;
and 4 per cent to too much credit.
RICH OLD “PENNSY.”
The Department of Commerce an
nounces, for the State of Pennsyl
vania, its preliminary estimate of
the value, December 31, 1922, of the
principal forms of wealth, the total
amounting to $28,833,745,000, as
compared with $16,014,202,000 in
1912, an increase of 80.1 per cent,
Per capita values increased from $2,-
009 to $3,187, or 58.6 per cent.
RETAIL FOOD PRICES DROP.
The downward trend in general
commodity wholesale prices was ar
rested in January, the average level
for that month being just what it
was in December. In another report
made public dealing only with retail
food prices, however, the Bureau of
Labor statistics gave out figures
showing an average decrease of 1
per cent, in these commodities during
the month ending January 15. In
the farm commodity group of whole
sale prices a slight decrease was
shown. Clothes and clothing also
were slightly lower, but fuel and
lighting materials showed an average
increase of more than 4 per cent,
and lesser advances were recorded
for building materials and miscellan
eous commodities.
CROP NOTES.
The weather has been unfavorable
for winter grains in many sections
of the United States. Much damage
has been done to winter wheat from
lack of snow cover and repeated
freezing and thawing of the ground
and in several states in the heart of
the belt the condition is low.Rye has
suffered much less and is in fair to
good condition generally. Winter
oats have suffered severely from
freezing in many southern areas and
have been badly killed out in a num
ber of States in some of which re
planting to spring oats and other
crops is now in progress. Plowing
of rice lands is making excellent
progress. The Agricultural Depart
ment. adds the note that weather con
ditions have been quite favorable on
the whole for farm work although
rains, wet ground, and lack of labor
have caused a number of States to
be backward in plowing and seeding.
HORSES LOSE.
The number of horses for farm
purposes in the country at the be
ginning of 1924 was only 18,263,000
against 21,555,000 in 1918, a fall of
3,290,000, or 15 per cent, in the six
year period. The farm' value of the
horses fell off $1,101,940,000 in the
period from 1913 to 1924, while the
value of other farm animals increas
ed $513,415,000 in the same years.
,The stated value of all horses on
farms decreased 48 per cent in the
1913-24 period, while the value of
other farm animals increased 16 per
cent in the same period.
FEDERAL COTTON REPORTS.
Senators from the southern cotton
producing States have conferred with
the Census Bureau on the methods of
tabulating cotton statistics. Cotton
prices have broken $35 a bale in the
last two months, caused probably,
according to Senator Smith, by an
item of more than 500,000 bales car
ried in the August Census Bureau
report on cotton tabulated as “to
balance distribution.” These bales
were presumed to have been included
in the ginning figures as of Fcbru-
I ary 1. Senator Smith claimed the
I cotton was counted twice, and that
the item of a half million bales prob
ably contributed to the depression
in the price of cotton.
AUTOMOBILES.
The number of automobiles in use
in the United States increased from
1.253.000 n 1914 to 12,300,000 in 1923
TARIFF COMMISSION’S REPORT
on Wheat.
The Tariff Commission has con
cluded its hearing on the cost of pro
during wheat in the United States
and in Canada, and has made public
the results of its investigation into
the cost of producing wheat products,
particularly flour, and it will receive
further testimony on that subject.
The Commission will report to^ Presi
dent Coolidge laying before the Pres
ident information upon which he can
determine whether the cost of pro
duction justifies an increase in the
present duty on wheat and wheat
products.
REINDEER IN ALASKA.
The first reindeer were indroduced
nto Alaska from Siberia in 1892,
.here being brought over at this time
1,280 reindeer. These have multipli
ed until now it is estimated there are
308.000 reindeer in the Territory.
PLAYGROUND IN LAKE
SUPERIOR.
The first step in the creation of a
unique National recreation grounds
.•(imposed of a virgin and untouched
island, 132,000 acres in size, in the
heart of Lake Superior and accessi
ble to the entire Middle West, was
taken by Secretary of the Interior
Work in setting aside 9,121 acres of
public lands in Isle Royale, Michigan,
for a future addition to the National
Park System. Isle Royale is located
55 miles from the northwest point
in the upper penisula of Michigan;
35 miles northwest of Duluth, and 18
miles from Port Arthur.
NOTES FROM THE
COUNTY AGENT
Mr Hartpence of the Sweet Pota
to Growers Exchange, delivered a
very interesting talk before the
Chamber of Commerce Tuesday on
proper curing and marketing of
sweet potatoes. Much interest was
shown by those in attendance and
the following plans were suggested:
1. That some individual or group
lease the potato house at Thomson
and install a forced air system for
the purpose of curing good number
one Porto Rico potatoes.
2. That a cash market of 60c per
bushel be furnished the farmer at
digging time for potatoes grown un
der contract and according to specifi
cations.
3. That those potatoes properly
graded, packed and cured be shipped
and sold under the “Golden Glow”
trade mark through the Southern
Sweet Potato Exchange.
Mr. Hartpence presented much
proof as to the efficiency of the
forced air system and a committee
has been appointed to study the sit
uation thoroughly and report to the
next meeting of the Chamber of Com
merce.
This section is ideally situated to
grow potatoes and it is a crop that
our farmers know how to produce
in abundance. If every farmer con
tracting will decide on one method
of production so that a uniform pro
duct is turned out, then we can de
pend on a market for our potatoes
With very little trouble a farmer
could' produce 75 bushels of strict
number ones per acre, which would
bring him $45 and use only the
jumbo or large potatoes for home
use.
The committee is anxious to know
Genius Circumscribed.
Genius is subject to the same laws
which regulate the production of cot-
I ton and molasses.—Macaulay.
Bap
$1.00
BE
the McDuffie progress will
SENT FOR ABOVE PRICE FOR
A LIMITED PERIOD.
We are going to give our subscribers an
opportunity to pay up their subscriptions at
a reduced rate until further notice.
It is customary with some newspapers to
conduct prize contests in order to collect
subscriptions, but we believe in giving any
premiums offered direct to our subscribers.
The ijjan has been tried and we believe our
subscribers like it. They can either bring
or send the money to this office and save 50
cents on their subscription.
The $1.00 rate does not include any club
paper, and those who want to take advant
age of this offer are urged to do so as early
as possible in order that we may get our
lists revised.
LISTING FARM AM*,
CITY PROPERTY
Messrs. J. Q. West and H. S. ItW*
ris, of the McDuffie County Real E#*’*'
tate Agency, report a number of d#*"
sirable farms and farm tracts —
with them for sale. They have
received a number of inquiries f#
farms and feel confident of finding?
buyers for desirable improved fa
and farm lands. In a few days tt*ir
will begin advertising property listed^
with them in the newspapers of
states with a view of attracting Idf** '•
tiers to this section.
Do not delay seeing them if yovf-
have property for sale. They
receiving a number of local inquiri<f' :
and it may be that your property*^
will be what is wanted.
Thomson real estate will be handl*<$*-
either for buyers or sellers.
Negro’s Body Disinter
red For Evidence.
Solicitor Hains, Sheriff Adkins AlRt-
Dr. Will Gibson had the unpleaffifl^*
duty of disinterring the body of tr
negro man Monday seeking evidfiTMSl^
as to the cause of his death.
The negro was buried Sunday"
week ago. He was struck on thd*
head with an axe by another negft* 4 -
several days before his death. It ajK"
pears that he continued about htf
work and fell dead while at work*-
The peculiarity of his death cauaftf-
the solicitor and sheriff to inveatf**
gate, and after a thorough autopAjl^ 1
held by Dr. Gibson, it developed
the negro came to his death by th#*
wound on his head; therefore, a WAt» r
rant for murder was sworn ooP
against his assailant.
Sheriff Adkins deputized sevewH^
negro men to disinter the negrO'#
if there are farmers in the county I body and the re i uctanC e with which-
who will grow a tew acres of potatoes they did the work was amusing
for sale to the curing house this fall lbe extreme,
at 60c per bushel. If you are inter
ested we will appreciate a postal
card t othis effect. If we can de
pend on a supply, then you can de
pend on the price which will be a
stationery one throughout the season
This is to announce that I have
just sold a carload of Porto Rico po
tatoes to a firm in Birmingham, Ala.,
for $2.35 per hundred, or $1.41 per
bushel. This means that all potatoes
going into this car must be free
from disease spots, rotten spots, cuts,
bruises, and must measure from
1 1-2 to 4 inches in diameter. We
are listing a second carload for im
mediate shipment. Let me have your
name at once and the amount of
potatoes that will grade out as per
specifications.
I have some attractive bids on
nitrate of soda, acid phosphate and
kanit. Why not order a carload lot
with your neighbors and get car lot
prices? Come in and see your agent.
Two carloads were ordered yester
day.
Cun put you in touch with fellow
farmers who have purebred seeds for
sale. Patronize home folks.
Last year’s peanut acreage for the
county amounted to 500 acres. We
should double that acreage this year.
It is pleasing to note that those who
planted last season are going to plant
again this season. Will be glad to
furnish you with bulletins that will
give you good pointers on how to
solv ethe problems in connection with
this and other crops.
The poultry sale brought in be
tween $400 and $500 last week, and
was considered a success. There was
approximately 2300 pounds of poultry
sold.
Our next sale will of necessity be
later than expected and will not be a
jumped-up affair. The Chamber of
Commerce is anxious to advertise our
sale and everybody will have an op
portunity to sell their early fryers
at fancy prices. We can reasonably
expect a price of 40 cents and above
for early spring fryers.
The agents in the counties along
the Georgia Road are going to an
nounce a schedule of poultry sales
for six months ahead so that farm
ers wives can produce fryers for a
definite sale date and everybody will
know in advance of the sale.
Now is the ideal time to hatch
chickens for early fryers and to pro
duce pullets that can be depended on
to lay winter eggs. Don’t wait too
long-—hatch early.
Part Of Jury List Wa#
Omitted Last Week#
In setting up the jury list lau£
week our Linotype omitted the naffl*#
on the second sheet on which they
were written. Following are thA"
names omitted, they being on th<P'
Traverse list:
41.
E. A. Harper.
42.
Geo. E. Smith.
43.
Jno F. Adams.
44.
Chas. Langham.
45.
R. II. Whitaker.
46.
E. Gordon Ivey.
47.
R. L. Hadaway.
48.
J. H. Stockton.
49.
C. W. H. Smith.
50.
E. R. McGahee.
No
Appropriation
For Postoffice,
A letter received from. Hon. CarF
Vinson, from Washington, states thaf
he knows of no bill being introduflfld-
carrying an appropriation for a pout"
office building at Thomson at tW#
time. A Washington dispatch of*
last week, printed in the daily paper*,
mentioned several Georgia towns **•
being included in a bill introduced bjr
Senator Fletcher, of Florida, M#r*
Vinson does not think the appropria*'
tions will be acted upon at this tim«.
Drinks Denatured Al^
cohol; Seriously 111.
Johnny Bowdre, employed at th®'
Mathews Drug Co. as porter, sotnff
time last week secreted some dena«'
tured alcohol from the store and
drank a quantity of it. After he had
become seriously ill he admitted'
drinking the poison. Thursday h®*
was in a precarious condition and
dotors entertained little hope of
saving his life.
Court Session Will Be-
Short, It Seems.
From all indications, it appeAr®-
that the March Term of Superior
Court, to be convened Monday moflK
ing at ten o’clock, will be short.
One attorney in discussing th^
prospects said the court might com®'
to a close Tuesday.
CARD OF THANKS.
We wish to thank Miss Sallie Wif*
liams’ and our friends for the kind**
ness shown us during her recent Ill
ness and death.
MR. AND MRS. M. S. MORRIS,