Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-12-13
son, Superintendent of Farmers In
stitnte, Manhattan; Kansas.
A. WESTERN KANSAS. NEED.


Counties along the extreme western
border Of the state are going to ask
the forthcoming legislature to make
an appropriation for the establish
ment Of an agricultural experiment
station In their midst. It is a rea-
enable request, most modest one,
IN fact, and should be granted, BY
all means.
Farming in that section has been a
rather precarious undertaking these
many. years Tor the bulk Of the sturdy
Kansans who have settled there. II
is true that in many Of the localities
some highly profitable farms have
been brought into existence by agrt
culturists who thoroughly understand
their business. and the conditions
with which they have to contend.
But this is scarcely the rule, while
on the other hand, it could be made
so Il the necessary agency and assist
ance were available. These can be
provided by an experiment station.
The station at Hays City is altogeth-
er too far away to be Of any practi-
cal use to the farmers in this ne
gion. The one at Garden City. which
is conducted jointly by the state and
the federal government, is located
In different altitude altogether and
is therefore far from being service
able.
An experiment station of their own
is what the farmers in these Harvest
ern counties need and they should
have it. They have borne their
share Of the burdens of state taxa
ton these many years, and have moth,
ing very material to show for it.
Most Of the state institutions of one
sort or another that are CT value in
variety of ways to the places where
they are situated are located in the
eastern or central section of the
state. OF course, there are mere PEG
pie in this territory but they don't
pay more state taxes proportiOnatefy
than do their brethren in the western
part of the state. And these latter
are certainly entitled to any reason
able state aid that may be needed
to help them on their way.
In years past there has sometimes
been a feeling on the part of eastern
members of the legislature. and these
| from the central section CT the safe,
that has been ant2gOnis.ic to the in
terests of the people of western Kan
sas. It has been looked upon almost
as a land of nowhere. This has been
serious mistake, and especially sc
Of late years since the development
of that section has progressed sc
wonderfully and under such severe
handicaps.
A legislators primary duty is tt
protect and advance the interests Of
his constituents. But he has the
larger duty of protecting the interest
of the people of the whole common
wealth. And the legislators from tht
eastern and central sectors Of Kan
sas are failing far short Of their dut!
if they do not appropriate and legis
late along lines that will be Of ad
vantage to the whole people CI Jh'
state, or amy particular part Of Them
no matter where they may lie locate,
/ The western EanGas farmers wi
be helped materially on their way b.
1.-THE establishments Of the exp5r.m II
pst2tion they desire. Not only will
| De to Their advantage, but anything
that brings a larger development IN,
prosperity to any section of Kalfsa
is Of Just that much more ady2ntag
to the state and its people in thei
entirety. 90