The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-12-18
OPEN LETTER FROM
HAROLD X. SMOOT

For some time l have been won
dering how | could pass on to the
pupils of the schools of Utah some
OF the experience I have gained in
business so that what | have learned
as to the value Of certain things which
I acqu' red in my student days, may
be emphasized to your advantage in
your own.
don't know that I was very good
scholar, and perhaps a good many Of
the subjects with which had to deal
received very perfunctory attention.
but economies. particularly political
economy. has always been more or
less a hobby of mine. Theoretical po-
litical economy Is all very well but
after we leave school most of us fail
to appreciate the application of the
principles which we absorb as a part
Of our school course. It is not very
long since ! left school life behind
me. but in that time I have had the
opportunity to realize the effect of
misapplied principles of political eco
nomy. suppose perhaps that I may
be termed over enthusiastic. but 1t Is
my sincere hope that the school boys
and girls OF today will be better fit
ted to meet those problems which In
volve public policy and the laws of
our state than the generation which
has preceded them.
You probably are not devoting a
great deal OF thought or attention to
what the future holds in general
did not, and know that you are no
different from what have been. You
are interested perhaps In general !
sort Of way, but your personal In
terest is conferred in whether you will !
be a lawyer. banker business man
or business woman. That is nat
ural, of course, but this fact should |
find a permanent place in your mind.
Whatever ambition you realize, whe-
ther you become a doctor, a merchant. |
, school teacher. or a coal HEAVIER. you /
will be called upon to meet the econ
omic problems OF your day. The
higher you go In this world OF affairs
the more need you will have for a
OF economies as applied to
public policy. The future welfare of
your city. your state, and your coun-
.rv. depends on how you prepare your
self now.
am so interested and so enthusi-
,stic that | have taken 1t upon myself
20 devise form Of encouragement
for present day students to dig into
he things that they will have to deal
with in a practical way few years
hdnce. | want to interest each and !
every one of you in one or more live
topics and to do so | am going to |
offer a few prizes for the best writ
ten essay on one of the many prob
ems that I believe is worthy of care
'ul analysis so that the abuses or mis-
.akes now in existence may be cor
rected. One subject | have under
is: What is Wrong With
Utah's Tax Laws? ! believe that the
fewer rules we have for this contest |
The better we will be OFF, so l shall |
cave 1t to the principal of your school
whom | have asked to serve as one |
Of the judges to conduct the contest |
A ong his own lines.
| offer 500 in gold as prizes for
the three best essays to be divided as
follows: first prize. $50; second prize
s35; third prize, SIS.
| have asked the principal OF your
school, in conjunction with whomever
he may select to act as judges, they
to select the three best essays from
your school and send them to the
state judges here In Salt Lake. These
state judges are three of the most
prominent men in Utah, whom you all
know.
In order that you may have plenty
of time for preparation. have plan
ned to hold the contest open until