Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1915-01-19
THE RURAL Press
The Local Paper q Most Useful
Agency on the Farm-The Press,
Pulpit and School q Trinity OF
Influence That Must 30 +.
Utilized In Building .
Agriculture.
BY Peter Radford

Lecturer National Farmers Union
A broad campaign of publicity on
the subject of rural life is needed in
this state today to bring the problems
of the farmers to the forefront. The
city problems are blazoned upon the
front pages of 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 pow
er Of the press.
The rural press, the pulpit and the.
school are a trinity Of powerful in
fuences that the farmer must utilize,
to their fullest capacity before he can,
occupy commanding position in pub,
lie 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 10 to build
and their object is to serve. They
prosper only through the development
and prosperity Of the community.
Every farmer N this state should
subscribe for the local paper. - we'll
- farm periodicals and such other
publications % he may md profitable,
but he should BY Ill means subscribe,
Tor. his local paper. and NO home
should b without It. The local paper
b part Of the community life and the
editor understands the farmers prob;
lens. It IL the local press that will
atudy the local problems and through.
Ito columns deal with subjects Of most;
vital importance to local life Of the;
community. .sey oN
A Noble Tack.
In too many instances the country;
papers mimic the city press by CIV
Ing prominence to scandals, accidents
and political agitation. The new.
rural civilization has placed upon the
rural press renewed responsibilities,
and enlarged possibilities for useful
ness. It cannot perform its mission
to agriculture by recording the frail-
ties, the mishaps and inordinate am
billions Of humanity, or by filling its
columns with the echoes Of the strug-
giles of busy streets. or by enchanting
stories Of city life which lure or
children from the farm.
It has . higher and nobler task.
Too often the pages Of the city dailies
bristle with the struggle Of ambitious
men in their wild lust for power. and
many times the flames Of personal
conflict scar the tender buds Of new
civilization and illuminate the path.
way to destruction. The rural press
Ii 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-
ests of the farmers by applying its
energies to the solution of problems
affecting the local community 1t
must stem the mighty life current
that is 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 is to direct growth, teach eff.
flciency and mold the intellectual life
of the country, placing before the pub
lie the daily problems Of the farmers
and giving first attention to the leg
islative, cooperative, educational and
social needs of the agricultural classes
within its respective community.