The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-01-16
BY Peter Rad.ord
lecturer National Farmers Union.

'i'"t Ndili l'diSli vi l)lpliNllN
on the subject OF rural lie is
needed in this state today to
bring the problems OF the farm
ers 70 the forefront. The city
problems are blazoned upon the
front pages OF the metropolitan
da1lieS and echoed i'll the country
| press. but the troubles OF The
| farmers are seldom told. except
by those Who seek Ia profit BY
the story, and the glitter OF the
package oit;imeS obScures the
substance. \ searching invcsti-
Sation INTO the needs OF the farm
erS Will reveal many inherent de-
lectS III our economic system that
can be easily remcdied when
properly understood and illumi-
mated by the power OF the press.
ne rural press, the pulpit and
the school are a trinity OF pow
ertui influences that the farmer
must utilize to their fullest ca
pacity before he can occupy
commanding position in public
affairs. These gigantic agencies
are organized in every rural COM
munity and only await the pat
ronage and cooperation of the
farmers to fully develop their
energy and usefulness. They are
local forces working for the best
interests OF their communities
heir work is to build and their
object is to serve. They prosper
only through the development
and prosperity Of the community.
Every farmer in this state
should sub ribc for the local
paper, as wei as farm periodicals
and such other publications as
he MAY find profitable, but he
should ~ all means subscribe
for his local paper, and no home
should be without it, The local
paper is part OF the community
he and the editor understands
the farmers problems.
A Noble Task.
In too many instances the
country papers mimic the city
press by giving prominence to
scandals. accidents and political
agitation. The new rural civil
cation has placed upon the rural
press renewed responsibilities,
and enlarged possibilities for use
iulness II cannot perform its
mission 10 agriculture by record
ing the irailties, the mishaps and
lnordlnatc ambitions OF human
itH, or by filling its columns with
the echoes OF the struggles OF
busy streets, or by enchanting
stories ul city life which lure our
children from the farm.
II has higher and noblcr
task The rural press is the gov
ctiIing power of public sentiment
and must hold steadfast to prin-
ciple and keep the ship of state
in the r"adsicad OF progress. The
rural press can best serve the
interests Of the farmers by ap-
plying It's energies to the solution
OF problems affecting the local
community. 1t must stem the
mighty life current that is NOV
ing from the farm to the cities,
sweeping before it a thousand
boys and girls per day. 1t has
to deal with the fundamental
problems Of civilization at their
fountain head. Its mission is
to direct growth, teach efficiency
and mold the intellectual life of
the country, placing before the
public the daily problems of the
farmers and giving first attention
to the legislative, cooperative.
educational aud social needs of
the agricultural classes within its
respective community
The Power Of Advertising.
Tie Influence oi advertising is
clearly visible in the homes and
l.:.nit d the farmers, and the
! adver,i,iu. columns OF the pre-,
are making their imprint upon
the lives oi our people.
The farmer is entitled to all
: ,,,..s4. and J.5tr,,o. -,