Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1913-07-26

Coed Roads and Graded Schools and
an Awakening Of the Small Town
Merchant to His Neglected onpor-
tunitiss the Governors Programme Get
Together His Motto.
Governor Hodges of Kansas Il going
to devote good deal u his time In the
remainder Of his administration to
work out plans whereby the life Of the
farmer may be made so attractive that
there viii he no need for y back to
the farms" movement In Kansas AZ
least The first step in this plau Is the,
organization of community ccnters. the
next Is good roads. the next Is graded
schools in the country districts. and
then he would have the country mer-
chants advertise that every interest In
the community may be built up.
This administration is using it's hest
endcavors 70 huild ~ community CEN
ters, better rural schools and local mar
kets for the products Of Kansas," the
governor said IN i recent interview.
"rllc back to the farm movement IL
the wrong end to begin work on EY-
cry state should Iaxe system Of good
roads. With Zig township schools that
teach domestic science. agriculture aud
fit students for normal trimming work.
The school should lie made SO nttrac-
tive and 80 good that Il would not be
necessary for the aericnlturist to 20 to
town with bis family to procure an
education for there.
Grains Neeuod For Success.
"rhr ffcest. the iruest aud the best
he is the asrisnltufists life. It takes
the same irain. however. 70 be q sue
cessful farmer that il does TO be sue
cessful banker or professional man.
and our farmers are now awakening
TO the fact that good roads. commuli-
ty interest centcgs and graded country
schools are solving the problem. and
when we have community centers.
good roads aud country schools in a
high degree OF efficiency there will be
no back TO the farm movement, for
there win then be no incentive or de-
sire to leave the farm.
u believe 1t is of vital interest to the
agrieulturist to keep the small towns
In n prosperous condition. but the rea-
son for the decline of the small town
is from the fact that the merchants do
not advertise their wares. together
with the prices, as well as an accurate
description Of the stock that they han
die. while, on the other hand. the
mail order houses have big, high
priced catalogue in the hands of ev-
cry man throughout the country. This
is n constant advertisement of their
wares. the description and prices are
then known. and u family that wishes
TO buy some article looks at the cata-
logue and at once takes it up with tho
NATL order house.
"A mail order house. with its expen-
sive buildings. high priced ground.
enormous rent. high priced officers, in
tcrest and a score of other necessary
expenses. makes his overhead expense
enormous, while. TO the exact contrary.
the country merchant. with a very mi
nor expense account. can be strong
competitor of the mail order house il
he will only set himself to the task OF
presenting his stock for the considera-
ton of the customers by strong. clear,
lucid. honest advertisement.
Merchants the Educators.
"The newspaper is by far the hest
medium, but il that is not accessible
then circular letter should be used.
The farmer would much rather deal
with his home merchant II he knows
that he can get the same goods for the
same price. but the solution Of the
problem rests with the country mer-
chant and 1t behooves him TO get in
touch wifi the farmers. Take them
into your confidence. talk to them and
point out to them certain added speci-
fications that the list price man over
looks.
This campaign of honest education
should be made. and il must be made.
by the man who Is vitality interested
the merchant. The agrleulturfsts real
lie that by the blo,tng ont OF the
cities. they. the farmers. would he
compelled to pay increased taxes. mer'
chants and their employees must he
come stock raisers or agriculturlsts.
and thus become competitors OF the
farmers.
1.-THE community center means mu-
tual intereSt-ihe stock raisers the
farmers. the merchants and men who
have the general welfare Of the public
mt heart. There should he get TO-
gether' movement everywhere for the
common good OF mankind.
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