St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1914-09-25
THE RURAL PRESS
The Local Paper a Most Useful
Agency on the Farm-The Press,
Pulpit and School a Trinity Of
Influence That Must Be
Utilized In Building
Agriculture.
BY Peter Radford.
Lecturer National Farmers Union.

Lecturer National Farmers Union.
A broad campaign OF publicity on
the subject Of rural iife is needed in
this state today to bring the problems
of the farmers 10 the forefront. The
city problems are blazoned upon the
front pages of the metropolitan dali.
ies and echoed I'm 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 pow
or OF the press.
The rural press, the pulpit and the
school are trinity Of powerful In
nuences that the farmer must utilize
10 their fullest capacity before he can
occupy 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 de.
velop their energy and usefulness.
They are local forces working for
the best interests OF their respective
communities Their work Is 10 build
and their object is 10 serve. They
prosper only through the development
and prosperity OF tho community
Every farmer IN this state should
subscribe for the local paper. M we'll
90 farm periodicals and such other
publications az he may find profitable,
but he should. by all means. subscribe
for his local paper and no home
should be without A. Tho local paper
II part Of the community life and tho
editor understands the farmers prob.
lens. II is the local press that will
study tho local problems and through
its columns deal with subjects Of most
vital importance 10 local life OF the
community
A Noble Task.
In too many Instances tho country
papers mimic tho city press by CIV
ing prominence 90 scandals. accidents
and political agitation The new ru.
raj civilization has placed upon the
rural press renewed responsibilities.
and enlarged possibilities for useful.
ness II cannot perform itB mission
20 agriculture by recording the frai.
tics. the mlshapa and inOrdinate am.
billions OF humanity. or by flling It's
columns with the echoes OF the atrug.
giles of busy streets. or by enchanting
stories OF city life which lure our
children from the farm.
II has higher aud noblor task.
Too often the pages Of the city dailles
bristle with the struggle OF ambitious
men In their Wild lust for power. and
many times the flames Of personal
conflict sar the tender buds OF new
civilization aud illuminate the path.
way 10 destruction The rural press
is tho governing power of public senti. |
mont and must hold steadfast 10 |
principle aud keep the ship OF state |
In the roadstead OF progress. The
rural press can best serve the inter.
oHtu of the farmers by applying its
energies 20 the solution of problems
Affecting the local community. II
must stem tho mighty life current
that IN moving from the farm TO the
oihiaK sweeping before Il thousand
boys and girls PEI day. IL hes 10 deal
with the fundamental problems OF
civilization at their fountain head. Its
mission n 10 direct growth. teach ef.
hoiency and mold the intellectual life
OF ths country. placing before the pub
lie the daily problems of the farmers
and Swing first attention 20 the leg.
islatiye, cooperative. educational and
social needs OF the agricultural classes
within its respective community.
The Power OF Advertising.
The influence of advertising is clear
ly visible Ia the homes aud habits OF
the farmers, aud the advertising col.
umns OF the press are making their
imprint upon the lives OF our people
Tie farmer possesses the things that
are best advertised
The farmer is entitled to all the
advantages and deserves all the lux.
uriss OF life. We need more art, sci
enee and useful facilities ON the
farms. and many homes aud farms
are we'll balanced IA this respect. but
the advertiser can render a service
by teaching the advantages of modern
equipment throughout the columns OF