The Meeker herald., 1914-12-12

0y Peter Rsdsord
:. Lecturer National ParDers' Union
A broad campaign Of publicity on
the subject Of rural life il needed In
this state today to bring the problems
of the farmers to the forefront. The
city problems are blasoned upon the
front pages CT the metropolitan dali
les and echoed in the country press.
but the troubles OF the farmers are
seldom told. except by those who
seek TO profit by the story. and the
glitter OF the package ofttimes OBJ
scures the substance. A searching In
vestigation into the needs Of the
farmers will reveal many inherent de-
fects in our economic system that can
be easily remedied when properly un-
derstood and Illuminated by the row-
or of the press.
The rural press, the pulpit and the
school are trinity Of powerful In
huences that the farmer must utilise
TO their fullest capacity before he can
occupy q commanding position In public
Affairs. These gigantic agencies are
organized In every rural community
and only await the patronage and CO
operation Of the farmers to fully do
velop their energy and usefulness.
They are local forces working for
the best interests Of their respective
communities. Their work is to build
and their object Is to serve. They
prosper onl.- through the development
and prosperity Of the community.
Every farmer In this state should
subscribe for the local paper. as well
~ farm periodicals and such other
publications as he may find profitable,
but he should. by all means. subscribe
for his local paper. and no home
should be without II. The local paper
il part Of the community life and the
editor understands the farmers prob
lems. 1t is the local press that will
study the local problems and through
its columns deal with subjects OF most
vital importance to local life OF the
community.
M A Noble Task.
In too many tnstancer the country
papers mimic the city press by CIV
ing prominence to scandals. accidents
and political agitation. The ue~ ru.
raj civilization has placed upon the
rural press renewed responsibilities.
and enlarged possibilities, for. useful
ness. 1t cannot perform its mission
to agriculture BY recording the frail-
ties. the nishaps and inordihate am
bitions OF humanity. or by filling its
columns with the echoes Of the strug-
sles Of busy streets. or BY enchanting
stories OF city life which lure our
children from the farm.
1t has 4 higher and nobler task.
Too often the pages Of the city d1ilies
bristle with the struggle Of ambitious
raen In their wild lust for power. and
many tines the. flames of personal
conflict scar the tender buds Of new
civilization and illuminate the path
way to destruction. The rural press
10 the governing power Of public senti.
ment and must hold steadfast to
principle and keep the ship Of state
in the roadstead Of progress. The
rural press can best serve the inter.
ssts Of the farmers by applying Its
energies 70 the solution Of problems
affecting the local community. II
must stem the mighty life current
that IL moving from the farm to the
cities. sweeping before 1t \ thousand
boys and girls per day. 1t has to deal
with the fundamental problems Of
civilization at their fountain head. Its
mission u to direct growth. teach e.
nciency and mold the intellectual life
Of the country. placing before the pub
lie the daily problems Of the farmers
and giving flrst attention to the leg
islative, cooperative, educational and
social needs Of the agricultural class
% within Its respective community.
The Power Of Advertising.
The influence Of advertising is clear.
~ visible In the homes and habits OF
the farmers, and the advertising col.
umns Of the press are making their
imprint upon the lives Of our people
The farmer possesses the things that
are best advertised.
The farmer il entitled to all the
advantages and deserves all the lux
uries Of life. We need more art, sci.
snce and useful facilities ON the
farms. and many homes and farms
are we'll balanced IN this respect. but
the advertiser can render \ service
By teaching the advantages Of modern
equipment throughout the columns Of
the rural press.
The farmers are In need Of person
al leadership. They have political lead.
era hut they mead local iuNnatrioI