The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-11
NEED BETTER men
Frank CoOper's Address to State
Board of Agriculture.
Hogs, Cattle and Crops Are
Only Secondary.
TALKS OF THE SOIL.
Prof. j. G.. MOsier's Ideas OH
Conservation of Moisture.
Teach Agriculture, Urges DR..
c. w. Burkett.

An address on '"The Paramount
Need of This Time was delivered at
the morning session of the state
board of agriculture at the state house
today by Frank Cooper, of Kansas
/ City, Mo Mr.. Cooper's ideas on the
crying need of this era are worthy of
the close consideration of every per-
son. His ideas could with benefit be
read by every person. He said In
part:
''In casting about for the most use
full subject for this occasion, I thought
first of discussing reciprocal trade re-
lations with South America and with
continental Europe-freer markets
! from the standpoint of dollars nothing
could be more important to Kansas
producers than that. Again in view
of the lamentable failure of the rail-
ways to handle the traffic of the cOun-
try I had thought of dealing with the
transportation problem with special
reference to the utilizing of our inter-
ior waterways. But these subjects are
concerned only with material prosper
ity and gain. When we deal with them
we deal only with effects and not
causes. we do not reach the main
spring of life and progress nor deal
with those things which produce the
results for which we are all striving
viz: Satisfaction.
What then is the paramount need
of this particular time?
''It is emphatically not bigger farms
and fortunes, nor greater houses, more
cattle. hogs and sheep nor greater
wealth. These are well and good, but
of only secondary Importance.
1.-THE paramount need in word
is simply-better men and women.
Given these and the matters of wealth,
animal comforts, material prosperity
and ultimate satisfactory living will
solve themselves.
1.-THE problems confronting this
time are not insufficient production,
but unfair distribution, they are prob
lens growing out of the rapid accum-
mutation of wealth in advance of a
readiness for it, and of concentration
of power in advance of wisdom to use
it. These are problems not lending
themselves to solution except on the
theory and the basis of a higher virtue
and intelligence among the people.
Better men and better women. Men
and women of greater wisdom, clearer
perception and in connection with
these, greater unselfshness and a more
robust common, everyday honesty.
Il have been conversant with certain
deals involving the objects, purposes
and methods of multi-millionaires which
showed these men to have the power of
giants but the moral stature of dwarfs.
Though multi-millionaires they had
only such moral development as would
be safe in a working man for a dollar
day. Though having intellect,
thorough education and training as
bright and sharp as a two edged sword,
they were simply moral idiots.
Il am tempted to say that among the
paramount needs of this time is not
even more educa ton unless by that is
meant moral training and development
as we'll as mental. Our educational in
situations are too often engaged merely
in putting edged tools into the hands
of moral mad men.
My friends, the discouraging fact is,
and the point of practical application of
this address is, that in almost any
group of men among our neighbOrs, if
the ruthless greed of some powerful op-
orator is mentioned. all will agree to
the wrong and the bad effect, but some
one will say, But I guess if I were in
his place 1 would do the same thing
Men need to grow to that moral