The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-03-10

Mr.. Kinzer dropped out at $750000.
Mr.. Yost quit at 100000, and Mr.. Ca
nary had the honor of buying him at
$4,000. Then it was that the crowd
let loose the biggest supply of ap-
plause ever let loose in a sale ring.
And it would not stop until Messrs.
Southland and Canary had stepped
into the sale ring and bowed their
acknowledgment.
The Farm Bureau Membership Cam
paign.
Inasmuch as the Farm Bureau is
for all the people of this county, so
should all these accept the privilege
of its support. The idea of a public
membership organization, on which
the Farm Bureau rests, every member
paying his annual dues Of $1.0O, is
fundamentally sound. Local interest
and responsibility are essential in any
kind of public effort for the improve
ment of conditions. Assistance from
without is of little value unless sup
plemented by local effort. This is the
primary reason for the Farm Bureau
Association.
All over the county the question is
being asked, "Why should ! pay man.
ey to support an organization for
which all the people are taxed through
National, State and County appro-
priations ?" The question is fair
one, but the answer is clear. At the
outset let it be stated that while the
salary and mileage of the County
Agent is entirely paid through these
sources, yet the Office expenses are
not and must be looked after by the
Farm Buerau.
The corporations of the county are
showing their interest in our work and
are assisting very materially in these
expenses, thereby lessening the bur-
den on the Farm Bureau. There
should be not less than $1,000 provid-
ed annually for these office expenses.
If we attain our $50 members, and
having the present assistance of the
lead companies, we can manage very
easily to take care of the expenses.
The efficiency Of the County Agent
work in this county depends to a
large extent upon the amount Of mon
ey available for Office supplies, print
ing and equipment. We believe if
our friends will appreciate these
things they will be willing to con-
tribute one dollar per year in order
that we may not be restricted in our
work by not having the necessary
funds to meet these various expenses.
From the standpoint of the individu-
al himself, there are two good reasons
why they should help to support the
Farm Bureau with their membership
and their money.
First, while it is true that the
Farm Bureau is public institution
and free to everyone, nevertheless it
is true that man always gets the
greatest benefit from what he contri-
butes towards and is definitely inter-
ested in. Persons who join and pay
money to the bureau have proprie-
tary interest in it not possessed by
non-members. Moreover, the Farm
Bureau is a public enterprise, and its
members show their interest in pub
lie welfare when they join and take an
active part in its administration.
Secondly, the Farm Bureau gives a
direct benefit to its member which
non-menbers are really not entitled
to. The justification for expanding
public funds in Farm Bureau effort
lies in the fact that it benefits every
one. Leadership, initiative, organi-
cation, economic and social studies,
demonstrations and even the kind of
personal help which furnishes good
example to the neighbors are all le-
climate benefits from public funds.
But there is kind of assistance, and
which every County Agent spends a
large part Of his time in doing, which
is purely personal and for which pub
lie funds should not be legitimately
used, and for which persons should
pay. Such work as ordering seed in
oculation, getting prices on soybeans
and putting men in touch with the
supply, ordering rock phosphate, or
dering feed, looking up live stock, and
other supplies and giving these ma
terials publicity is more personal
than public benefit and should be
paid for by the individual receiving