Devils Lake weekly world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1911-1914, 1913-09-05

W Ou0 a. IL 1so6CAo VI W oGOi NAAo,
WASH. relative to the agricultural and
industrial movement in the public
schools in the state of Washington
It is right to the point, and touches
matters. Of such vital interest to the
welfare Of the country in general tina.
we publish it. This letter is taker
from the Congressional Record Of Aug
ID, 1918.
Waterville, Wash, July IS, 1913
Mr.. Calvin G. Thompson,
: Olympia, Washington.
Dear Si:-Your letter of the 18th
instant received. Regarding the Wat
erville vision of the correct idea Of
modern agricultural and vocational ed
ucation, I will state that in our stand
for good rural schools we simply are
endeavoring. to introduce into the COM
munity the best and most up to date
information Of helpful kind which
there is today. In Washington, D. c.,
there are vaults stacked high with bull
letins giving valuable reports upon ag-
ricultural, horticultural vocational and
animal industry problems. In every
state as we'll as Washington there are
agricultural colleges and experiment
stations engaged in the same work. I
saw there is no lack of information to-
day, but there is decided lack Of ways
and means of getting it out to the farm
and having it put in practice there.
Pullman College is fine Institution
for Whitman county, but Douglas coun-
ty gets but little benefit from it. The
inspiration is too far away. If Doug
LAS county farmer attends any OF their
short-course schools and lectures, his
railroad fare alone would cost more
than $50. His board and lodging would
be at least 81 per day; only few
farmers could stand to hire help to at
tend to their stock while they were
away three and four weeks even in the
dull season. Then, too, the average
farmer is little shy about sending his
children 200 and 300 miles away to in
stitutions whose teachings encourage
ideals that may; lead them away from
the environments in which he and his
have been raised He is also inclined
to feel that this higher education will
render them dissatisfied with their lot
az farmers and give them wrong con
| ceptions Of that which has been his
life's work and study, conflicting n
fact. with the plans and aspirations
| which he has builded for his children 4
future. Then, again, few farmers car
afford this expense, and he feels thai
he needs his children Is help during hi
busy season, and. therefore, prefers tt
school his children nearer home.
The high class knowledge and scien
tifc data of our public institution
must be brought closer to the people
thew must be in the atmosphere as az
inspiration surrounding these peopl'
that need them and can make use O
them. If the mountain won't COM
down to Mahomet, Mahomet must go tt
the mountain. 1 believe the COMMITTEES
on agriculture Of the State Bankers
association had this vision when they
stood behind the county farm director
bill that passed our legislature las
winter. The Waterville consolidated
high school will become the medlato'
and collecting agency of all this val
liable knowledge and will dispense it
not only to the rural children. but tt
the actual farmer, and thereby estab
fish the best up to date practice need
ed in our community. In planning ou7
work we have tried to harmonic anc
utilize our public utilities to their high
est stage Of efficiency by combining
school buildings. athletic fields, gym
nasium work, farm and city garden
tracts, fair grounds and buildings, ag
ricultural demonstration grounds. horti
cultural fields, and nursery work. W.
also have plans for working out the
animal industry side Of the question
We expect to build a model home FOL
our county farm director on these dem
onstration grounds for he will be the
inspirational man who will, through his
general supervision, with the help Of
good science man in the school, connect
up the theory with the practical side
of this important work.
Waterville's consolidated school com
prises six outside districts, with total
assessed valuation of about $1,225,00C
BY bonding we are building a 20 room
up to date school building, with all the
provisions for teaching agricultural, vo
cational, and business training, along
with the general academic school work
Through the public spirit Of eur county
commissioners and our city fathers, we
!