The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-09
UNIQUE TOUR MARKS EPOCH
 IN MATERIAL PROSPERITY
Effectiveness of the congressman's Work in the Sixth District Is Indi- cated by Hearers Becoming
 Preachers of His Gospel.

Kennedy May S.-(Special) )-Congress- man R. P. Hobson of the Sixth con- gressonal district has launched a revolu- tion in public education that may mark an epoch in the material prosperity of these United States. He has begun this great work at home and among his own people and within less than two months after he was sworn into office as con- gressman.
 Many people in many sections of the country were inclined to ridicule Captain Hobson's idea when it was announced that he would make tour of his district with experts from the department of agriculture for the purpose of waging campaign of practical education along practical lines.
 But 1t only took one day for those watching the work to see that the young congressman planned well and broadly. He and his efforts have been received by the people with an enthusiasm that is almost overwhelming. Even Captain Hobson himself admits that he is sur prised at the spontaneous interest that is being shown.
 Captain Hobson, during the congress sional recess, has not forgotten his duty to his constituents and is rendering a service that will be of lasting benefit.
 There is not man irxs-!-~,'s s..s i7ssa per- .iaps that has more restive energy than the representative from this district He is a believer in doing things and to face problem with him means immediate action.
 His great ambition just now is to do something for the material benefit of the people in his district and he could not possibly have conceived a better plan than he has adopted.
 Of all classes that need material as- sistance from the government the farmer stands at the head. His prosperity means the inevitable prosperity of every other class and institution in the country. Cap tain Hobson recognized this fact and after careful study of the situation and the peculiar needs of his district, set on foot plans of practical campaign that has attracted the attention of the country. He called on the department of agriculture for some of their best men in the different bureaus. He went after them in earnest and got what he asked for. He got more than he asked for. He is a man who will not accept denial and when the powers in control saw his earnest ness they were glad to respond
 Practical Department Men.
 The best practical men in the depart ment were assigned him and last Mon day morning every one of them met him at Aliceville in Pickens county, where was begun a campaign of practical edu- cation whose influence on the future of this county is inestimaJole
 It was something new, and while states men all over the country awaited results with timorous interest, the people in the Sixth district who want to be helped in their problems, welcomed the movement with wide open arms.
 The men who came at the request of Captain Hobson are all practical men, who understand every detail of the work in which they are employed. They dis cuss the several subjects in plain, prac- tical. every day manner that appeals to the man who wants to learn more of the questions affecting his daily labor and struggle for bread.
 Tour By Dirt Road.
 The tour is not being made by railroad train, but in private conveyance. The men in the party who are discussing the various questions with the people are in this way enabled to better familiarize themselves with local conditions, the soil the timber, the condition of roads, the present methods of cultivation, and are also able to get in closer touch with the people.
 The men from the different bureaus of the department are almost fanatical en- thusasts and the people cannot help but catch their spirit At every meeting the attendance is growing larger, and in some instances people are following the course of travel to attend other meetings. The wave of popular enthusiasm is growing to fever heat, and promises not only to extend into every corner of the district, but to spread over the state and possibly into every state in the union.
 In the wake of the campaign, county improvement associations are organizing for the purpose of carrying on the re- forms outlined by the experts, and to as- sist Congressman Hobson in securing some legislation affecting the industrial welfare of the district.
 Gospel Spreads.
 These men are preaching with an earn estness like that born of religious fervor in the building of good roads, the study and improvement of the soil, the im- provement of cotton culture, the preser vaton of the forest lands and the build ing of better school houses Captain Hob- son is calling upon the people of his district to back him up in demanding all that is coming to them and he prom ises with the certainty of confidence in- spired by his great determination that laws can be secured which will materially better the conditions of the people.
 He has already secured additional rural delivery mail routes, the promise of permanent cotton culture demonstrator to live in the district after next fall. and he Is in fair way to secure soil sur-. vey of every county in the district with iu the next few years. The completion of