Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1916-08-11
WANTS TO VOTE ON
FARM EXPERT PLAN
MRS. A. f. SHELDON ASKS COM
MESSENGERS TO PUT CUES.
TON ON BALLOT.

Concerning the proposal to re-
establish the farm agent plan in this
county, with reference to which the
county commissioners are scheduled
to have a conference with Director r.
B. COglon next Monday, the follow
ing communication was received this
week:
Editor Standard:
Have the county commissioners ex-
perienced a change of heart, or do
they think the farmers of the county
have done so in the few short months
since at their earnest request the
Office of county agent was left
vacant?
We are informed that the commits
sioners now favor re-establishing the
Office here, as the Grange and the
Chamber of Commerce desire it, but
what of that far greater number Of
the farmers of ThurstOn county who
do not belong to the Grange? Are
is true that those having charge of
the extension work in the state refuse
to consider the unorganized farmers,
but why should our county commits
sioners do the same?
Proportion About Same.
It is safe to suppose that the pro-
| nor<iop of thoco fovnripp and nnnnS-
ing the Office does not differ greatly
from that of last winter. There are
many, both in the Grange and out,
who realize that farm expert can
only help the farmers in the matter
of production. 1t is not claimed, l
think, that he can be of any real help
in the matter of distribution or mar
. ketng, which is the paramount prob
lem of the farmer. To be able to pro-
|; duce enough from his farm to feed a
! lot of surplus stock which he cannot
I sell might be fine thing for the
stock, but would not appear to i'm
!, prove the financial condition of the
farmer perceptibly, and as stock has
habit of multiplying itself by two
: every year or SO, it would certainly be
e problem for any farm expert to keep
5 up with the game.
g One man, a Granger, believes that
' if we might have county agent sep
: arate and apart from the Chamber OF
l Commerce he would be able to help
the farmers. l venture the assertion
that there amt no such thing" as a
} county agent separate from the Cham
Der of Commerce.
} A prominent Granger of the state
aptly defines the Chamber of Com
merce as 1.-The sounding board of big
business" The county expert is one
of the leading features of the CO.
Operative agricultural extension move
: ment, which in turn is Nationalist
ton of the better farming movement
started by big business in Minneap-
: oils few years ago with Jim Hill and
the Great Northern railroad back
of it.
Chance to Speak.
And there we have it-both insti-
tutions emanating from the same
source, veritable pair of Siamese
twins. If the Grange of Thurston
county wishes to unite with the fam
lily, the rest of the farming people
should not be bound by the union,
but should, in all fairness, be given a
chance to speak for themselves.
There can be no better way, it
would seem. to decide this vexed
question than to put it before the
people to vote on at the next election.
The Grange is on record as favoring
direct legislation and should not OBJ
ject to this measure. If it can be
shown by actual count that major
ity of the farmers of the county want
farm expert, no sane person will
object to it. 1t is impossible to get
a representative body of farmers out
to meeting during haying time with
the fitful weather we are blessed with
this season, but they will vote their
wishes if given chance.
Will not our county commissioners
do this thing and settle the question
right?
MRS. A. E. SHELDON.
HALE TO SUPPORT WILSON.