Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1913-01-17


from the financial point of view ami
again today | want to direct you to
the necessity of striving for rural
betterment through other channels
than the financial. II you will look
into the work of our normal schools,
our colleges and our universities,
you will see that they all are recog-
nizing that great part Of their eff
forts In extension work must be
along the line of improved rural
social conditions and not u financial
condition. That is, we must have
better social condition for our
rural people, especially the younger
class, If we would keep them on the
farm and mature a thrifty, stable
and self-respecting class of people.
Many Of these schools have not only
recognized this important phase Of
the work, but are actually in the
field, pushing it with great success
We should not be content to have
the schools do this work alone for
US, but we should in all such meet
ings and bodies as this organization
do a great deal ourselves. Our ma
tional, state and local meetings can
advocate legislation and have really
accomplished good deal along this
line to assist the rural people In
overcoming financial difficulties, but
legislation and resolutions and re-
ports of committees will do little to
must all do our share. Yes, little
more than our share in aiding this
movement, IL we would succeed and
build the kind of citizenship we
most desire. 1t requires individual
effort and sacrifice and sympathy
and cooperation to do 1t, that Is why
want to repeatedly call your atten-
ton to it. We are growing stronger
and are able to do so much more
than we were a few years ago. Our
strength as an organization and our
influence SO far has been sufficient
to demand the attention and respect
OF politicians and Legislators.
Tradesmen of all kinds are counting
our favors and respect and even the
writer's of our best magazines and
editors of our daily papers are be-
ginning to sensationalize rural life,
rural people and rural betterment.
Our ex-president nationalized the
movement through his rural life
commission, since which time many
OF our states have recognized and
encouraged the movement. Our own
state, | am sure, will soon take place
with these foremost states and offer
some recognition and probably legis-
lation for rural betterment A
glance over all these will tend to
show to you what a wonderful
growth our people have made In
just few years. AS a county or
ganization and as local organizations
you little realize or know what your
own growth has been. Fortunately,
nearly all that has been done Is built
on a good foundation and is 'perma>
nent and will not have to be done
over again. 1t Is marvellous when
we consider how few mistakes have
been made and how few of our mem
bers have proved hindrance or bur-
den upon the organization or
course, more could have been done
If all had placed shoulder to the
wheel and pushed, but usually those
who fail to do so did 1t rather
through not knowing just what to
do than through a desire not to do.
Now, if we are to develop other
channels along with the financial,
let us see what some of them ara
that will have a bearing on the i'm
proved social conditions of our peo-
pie. Shall we include some legisla-
ton? Yes, 1t Ii not the most Inn
portant, but we are now somewhat
handicapped In the use of public
funds to defray the legitimate ex-
penses of any meeting whose sole
purpose is to nplift and benefit the
entire public. lust as 1T IL right to
support pLblic school from a com
mon and public fund, so we ought to
be allowed to tax a community to
support any com munity meeting
whose object is to promote the gem
eral good of all, governed of course
by such wise care and prudence as
We are guided by in handling our
public school funds.
Shall we include the church as an
other of the agencies that will help
develop the social conditions of our
rural people? Yes, no one will deny
that this is much needed and that
there is great field for this de-
partment, but let us beware that we
do not mako tho miStaka Dnada hu