Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-01-03
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
Golden Opportunity to Remake the De-
partment.

Ever since the election Of Woodrow
Wilson, newspapers, both north and
south, have been suggesting the name
of Editor Clarence Poe for the post OF
secretary of agriculture in the new
presidents cabinet. The Washington
Times, Philadelphia North American.
and other papers Of national promi-
nence Immediately after the election
stated that he was one Of the men most
likely to be named. Mr.. Poe promptly
announced, however, that he was not
and would not be a candidate for this
or any other Office In Mr.. Wilson's gift,
but declared that some man should be
appointed who would broaden the de-
partment and make 1t not only the
mighty force for better farm methods
It has always been, but also an agency
of service and leadership to our farm
ers in their efforts to reorganize rural
life as 1t has been reorganized In Ire
land, Denmark, France and other coun-
tries through education, organization
and cooperation. Accordingly Mr.. Poe
sent the following telegram to the
president elect last week:
President elect Woodrow Wilson,
Trenton N. ].
while a score Of papers have been
generous enough to urge my appoint
ment as secretary of agriculture, I do
not wish the office myself, but do wish
most earnestly that you shall appoint a
man of extraordinary vision and abili-
ty. There Is a nation wide awakening
to the possibilities Of rural co-opera-
ton and better marketing methods, and
you can win the everlasting gratitude
of American farmers by naming man
who will broaden the department and
make 1t not only an agency for In
creasing crop production, but an agency
the -p-osG!ss problems of rural cooper
alton, rural credit, and more economi-
cal distribution. After thoroughly can
vassing all names suggested, believe
IL you should delegate DR.. Walter II.
Page, formerly Of the Country Life
Commission, to perform this epoch
marking task the nation would ap-
prove, while 1t may be that DR.. Bailey
or President Waters, IL committed to
the same policy would do equally well.
On behalf of the one hundred and fifty
thousand farmer readers Of my paper,
/ most respectfully, but very earnestly,
urge the appointment OF man OF this
type instead Of any ambitious polit-
clan or department chief"
The Progressive Farmer does not
care for the man; we do care a great
deal for the policy. We happen to know
that DR.. Page, IL appointed, would
stand vigorously for the policy we have
we have mentioned his name first. AS
publisher Of the Worlds Work, the
Garden Magazine, and Country Life In
America, as a member Of the Country
Life Commission, and especially as
promoter Of DR.. Knapp's work in the
south, and an advocate Of better sys-
tenn of rural credits, he has rendered
notable service to American agriculture
while his southern birth and rearing
would give him an understanding OF
southern problems no other secretary
has had. But DR.. Liberty II. Bailey Is
also a great agricultural leader, who
has shown interest In all phases OF the
country life problem, and. while We do
not know personally Of DR.. Waters
work, It has been highly commended.
No one doubts DR.. Harvey w. Wiley's
general ability or devotion to the pub
lie good, but his interest Is In pure food
rather than in agriculture, and Prof.
Willis Moore's interest in the weather
service is not sufficient to At him for
the general conduct of the department
Nor have we been able to discover any
reason that would make Congressman
Burleson, Of Texas, acceptable to
American farmers. On the contrary,
the support he has given the oleo man
ufacturers would arouse the resent
ment Of all the dairy farmers Of the
country.
But We repeat that we are interested
not in a man, but a policy. No doubt
President Wilson would like to hear
from the farmers themselves. If You
let him know that you are interested In
seeing the department broadened as
we have indicated, he will give the
matter attention. Write him letter or
a postal card, expressing your Ideas
Progressive Farmer.