The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-03-09

Clemson College, March 6.-Mr. E.
w. Dabbs Of Sumter. president Of the
State Farmers union. in an official
visit to Clemson Tuesday addressed
the cadets at chapel meeting.
Mr.. Dabbs came at the invitation
Of President w. M. Riggs who wish
es the farmers union to be CONVEX
SAINT with all details Of the work at
Clemson. especially since the United
States government has just recently
announced that 1t will Cooperate with
the college In farm demonstration
work.
! In addressing the cadets at chapel,
| Mr.. Dabbs said:
Young Gentlemen When your dis
tinguished president invited me to
speak to you on this occasion, I had
first said to small gathering Of far
mers at the Commercial club of
Charleston. that I intended to take
up with our college authorities the
subject Of marketing. and ask that 1t
be given equal prominence with the
other important studies Of the college.
do not mean. mere form of COM
mercial transactions such as bills of
lading or bills of exchange, drafts
notes, etc. etc. but the principles of
scientific marketing.
That very afternoon i had the
pleasure Of meeting the professor of
mathematics at the Citadel ana after
he had expressed the belief that the
higher mathematics are useful to a
man more in training his mind to
think for himself than in the practi-
cal solutions Of mathematical prob
lens except In certain professions, I
said to him 4 want to see every
college In this State establish a "chair
Of marketing" do not know how II
ought TO be done nor DO know
how II ought to be taught, but here
Is place &c put your boasted higher
mathematics TO a practical use by
solving this very problem that, so
far as I know. has never been at
tempted
He answered very quickly before I
was through, "As applied to the
great cotton crop!" I said no. but
as applied to all the products of the
farms. and / do not intend to have
this matter laughed out Of court
The very afct that 1t Is a big ques-
tion. an unexplored field should make
1t attractive to the college men Of
our country. and / do not hesitate 10
say that X you refuse to take 1t up,
and having taken 1t up, do not pur-
sue II until 1t is solved. or If 1t is
unsolvable. hand II down to gener-
ations of college men, unborn, chat
each succeeding class may take up
the subject where the last left il off,
and keep on and on and on, then I
say to you. you give just cause to
the men Of practical everyday life
who have not been blessed with your
opportunities to sneer at college men.
Let me suggest to you young ger-
| tlemen that you take this subject up
In your debating societies. To any
| mind it offers equally as good train
ing as the trite query which Is the
| greater incentive to righteousness the
hope Of reward or the fear Of pun.
| ishment?" or any other OF the many
questions Of abstract right. or prac-
tical application that enliven the
meetings of the undergraduates Of
our colleges and high schools.
This subject would probably be
within the scope Of the chair OF poll
tical economy or domestic science
But I'm evolving proper system of
study every chair in college or uni =.
versity should give the matter care
ful study and while have suggest
ed that You young gentlemen debate
II I'm your societies. ] would impress
upon the faculty that they give il an
important place in their meetings.
Take the history of our efforts to
Improve the conditions at large. and
improve the conditions of our citi-
IONS. and If mankind at large. and
We viii find the greatest stress laid
upon increased efficiency i'm the lines
of production first. and then i'm better
facilities for transportation. And the
subject of distribution which I de-
nominate scientific marketing. In