The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-10-10
ASKS ADVICE OF WOMEN.
Secretary Houston Writes to Farmers
Wives.-WantS United States to
Help Them.

Washington, October 3.-Farmers'
wives to the number of $4,000 will re-
ceive through the mail this morning
letter from Secretary Of Agriculture
Houston, asking their aid and advice
in matters in which the department
may be of benefit to them.
Not wishing to put the women to
any expense, the department has en-
closed franked and addressed enve-
lopes to be used in answering ihe in
quiries. 1t is unlikely that tae de-
partment will publish the names of
women answering the request, but
the substance of some Of the letters
will be contained in report to be pub
lished in December.
The letter was called forth by the
declaration that farmers wives have
been neglected by the department. The
officials request suggestions for i'm
provements which the department can
make.
Letter to Women on Farms.
The letters sent out are as fol-
lews:
The department of agriculture is in
receipt OF letter in which the writer
said:
"The farm woman Las been the most
neglected factor in the rural problem
and she has been especially neglected
by the national department of agricul-
ture."
This letter was written, NOT by
woman, but by broad-minded man,
so thoroughly in touch with the agri-
cultural and domestic needs of the
country, that his opinions have great
weight.
The department Of agriculture GER
tainly wishes to render directly to the
women of the United States the full
aid and service which their important
place in agricultural production war
rants.
Ideas Are Solicited.
Because we believe that these wo-
men themselves are best fitted to tell
the department how it can improve its
service to them, l respectfully re-
quest that you give careful thought to
this matter. Then please communi-
cate your ideas to me in the enclosed
franked envelope.
Your answers may state your own
personal views, or, even better, you
may first discuss the question with
your women neighbors or in your
church societies or women's organiza-
tions, and submit an answer repre-
senting the combined opinions of the
women of your entire community.
You are, of course, at liberty to crit
icise freely, but l would especially
urge that you try to make your sug-
gestions constructive ones, that we
can at once put into effect. All OF
your suggestions will be carefully
read and considered by government
specialists.
Advice Will be Accepted.
Many of them will be carried out at
once; others as soon as the informa-
ton sought can be gathered and the
necessary machinery for its distribu-
ton made ready. Such suggestions as
call for revision of existing laws or
additional legislation will be referred
to the proper committees of the SEN
ate and the house of representatives.
Answers to this inquiry should
reach me not later than November Is,
1913. All answers should be written
on only one side of the paper, and
should be as concise as it is possible
to make them.
In order to serve the women of the
country the department from time to
tine will insert in the weekly issue Of
the news letters to official crop CORE
spondents special paragraphs or spe-
cial supplement pages of direct inter
est to women.