Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-08-08
Gov, HODGES TO
AID OF FARMER

0ooo Roads and Graded SCHOOLS ana
an Awakening Of the Small Town
Merchant to His Neglected opper-
tunitiss the Governors Prosram-"ost
Together" His Motto.
Governor Hodges Of Kansas Is going
to devote good deal of 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 will be no need for back to
the farms" movement in Kansas ut
least. The first step in this plan Is the
organization Of community centers. the
next is good roads. the next is graded
schools in the country districts. and
then he would have the country mcr-
chants advertise that every interest in
the community may be built up.
This administration is using its best
endeavors to build Up community cen
tiers. better rural schools and local mar
kets for the products Of Kansas the
governor said in q recent interview.
''The back to the farm movement IS
the wrong end to begin work on. Ev-
cry state should have system of good
roads. with big township schools that
teach domestic science, agriculture and
at students for normal training work.
The school should be made so attfac-
tive and so good that 1t would not be
necessary for the agricuIturist to go to
town with his family to procure an
education for them.
Brains Needed For Success.
THE freest, the truest and the best
life Is the agrfculturist's life. 1t takes
tho same brain. however, to be sue
cessful farmer that 1t does to be sue
cessful banker or professional man.
and our farmers are now awakening
to the fact that good roads. communi.
~ interest centers and graded country
schools are solving the problem, and
when we have community centers.
good roads and country schools in
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 1aCm.
II believe it is Of vital interest to the
agricufturist to keep the small towns
in a 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 a big. high
priced catalogue IN the hands Of ev-
cry man throughout the country. This
Is constant advertisement Of their
wares. the description and prices are
then known, and a family that wishes
to buy some article looks at the cata-
Ioeue and at once takes 1t up with the
mail order house.
"a mail order house, with It's expen-
sive buildings. high priced ground.
! enormous rent. hign priced omcefs. in
| terest and q 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 If
be will only set himself TO the task OF
presenting his stock for tho considera-
ton Of the customers by strong. clear.
lucid, honest advertisement
Merchants the Educators.
"The newspaper Is By far the best
medium, but If that 10 not accessible
| then a circular letter should be used.
The farmer would much rather deal
with his home merchant Il 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 it behooves him to get in
touch with the farmers. Take them
into your confidence, talk to them and
point out to them certain added speci'
! locations that the list price man over.
looks.
This campaign Of honest education
should be made, and It must be made
by the man who is vitality Interested
the merchant The agriculturists real
lie that by the plotting out OF the
| cities, they. the farmers. would be
compelled to pay increased taxes, mer
| chants and their employees must be
come stock raisers or azriculturists
| and thus become competitors OF thu
farmers.
1.-THE community center means mu
tual interest-the stock raisers. tn
| farmers, the merchants and ;cec ~h'
have the general welfare Of the pubic
at heart. There should be q get to
eether movement everywhere Tor tn
common GOOD OF mankind"