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■*=-6^ S °® 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,