Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1916-01-14
As Others See 1t
ROGERS DISCUSSES SITUATION.

The undersigned would like spac
to define his position in reply to tn
editorial challenge in your last issue
am not newspaper man and canno
present my case with the skill of
professional, but will endeavor to b.
plain.
l am charged with being instru
mental in abolishing the county farm
expert system and am asked to dt
something for Thurston county ant
play the role of Moses in leading thu
people of Thurston county out of the
wilderness. l have not, neither do
desire to dictate any policy. 1 an
not capable of leading, neither do
believe that the people of this county
want one or three leaders.
l took a stand upon this question
adverse from the stand taken by the
Standard. I stand upon my rights OF
freedom without dctation and am
willing to concede others the same
rights.
You say that the business interests
banks, Chamber of Commerce and
other organizations are supporting
your contention. Now, Mr.. Editor,
are you sure that all the business
men of Olympia, all the members of
the Chamber of Commerce, and all
the members of the various organiza-
tions mentioned are unit upon this
question? If you think so, perhaps a
little investigation on your part might
change your mind somewhat.
The law of supply and demand
governs the price of farm produce,
unless, in exceptional cases, a staple
article is cornered by one or more
persons. One duty of the farm agent
is to teach the farmer how to raise
more. Do you, Mr.. Editor, want
more produced when the market is
already glutted and, in many cases,
the prices below the cost of produc-
ton?
Two years ago, when we had no
agent, beef commanded fair price
on foot and a ready sale. Cows
brought good prices. Pork, dressed,
10 cents to II cents; veal, 13 cents
to Is cents; butterfat, 40 cents. Con-
trast this fall and winter: beef on
foot, no market at any price; cows,
slow sale at reduced price; pork,
dressed, cents to cents; veal, 8
cents to II cents; butterfat, 33 cents,
highest point, and decline of cents
noted a week ago.
do not censure the farm agent
for the present prices, but l do con-
tend that if the prices are remunera-
tive to the producer that, and that
alone will stimulate the production of
more, if more is needed. Why not
an agent to assist newspaper men to
publish more and better newspapers
in Thurston county, an agent for car
penters, blacksmiths, and every other
vocation?
Yes, the hayseed needs education
he needs it bad. A $12,00O,OOO state
agricultural college and experimental
station, United States department
of agriculture, literature, on every
agricultural subject free for the ask
ing is not enough, according to the
newspaper men. They must have
high-salaried college man to 60 10
them direct and show them, poor
ignorant farmers. They cannot read,
and il they can, they do not know
enough to apply the knowledge thus
acquired. They must be shown.
l believe the county commission
ers were governed by what they
thought a majority Of the farmers
wanted and I should not have con-
demned their action had it been con-
trary to my wishes. If am chrome
kicker, have lot of good company
rs vou may easily learn by consulting
the netitions filed with the board OF
county commissioners.
AS to what Is wrong: am not an
economic student and am not pre-
pared to solve the question, but l do
not believe county agent will solve
it. Some say it is a Democratic ad-
ministratfon; some say the European
war; Possibly Jupiter or Mars are
out of joint am not an astronomer
and cannot be accountable for exist
ing conditions, '''
l have some ideas but do not ex-
meet that the editea would agree with
me. at present at least.