The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-08-25

uuNG DGGn upDtu luSlGdu u lie CdlllCs anu Nld
worse, those people who did not believe in my
differentiation measures blew up some of my
dipping watts. But sentiment has now changed
until the department finds 1t difficult, with the
force available for the work, to keep up with the
demands. This change of front, of course, is not
entirely due to the departments activities. Infor-
nation also has been spread by the state col
leges, railroads, chambers of commerce, county
agents and others, but many of them, nevertheless,
used the published matter furnished by Informal
ton"
Eyes, 1 saw that poster and some Of the pamph-
lets, and l wondered how the conservative govern
ment ever h%appened to use red ink declared the
congressman.
"The government has as much right to use red
ink and make its publications attractive as l have
to wear red stripes on these trousers retorted
Uncle Sam.
But l saw that ONE of the papers reprinted
the poster and pamphlets without giving credit to
the department of agriculture as author urged
the congressman.
"Our department Of agriculture is not looking
for credit, not if l have anything to say about it,"
calculated Uncle Sam, growing rather warm under
the collar. when a pamphlet, mimeographed ar
ticle, poster or anything else is released it can
be used by any periodical with or without credit
and without cost. I have noticed the IDEAS of
many Of the articles furnished to the press are
played up according to the notions of the editor
and the space at his command. This is exactly in
accord with my ideas of the service which Infor-
nation can furnish. When the department finds
out a good thing, son, 1 want the people to know it,
and the press is one of the best agencies.
Il want to tell you of one of the latest posters
Information has published" he continued. at
deals with the boil weevil-that little insect which
has caused millions of dollars of loss to The South
ern cotton planter. This persistent pest advances
its battle line practically every year and the scien-
lists and demonstrators in the trenches have not
been able to win a really decisive victory. No one
can say, however, where the weevil would have
been by this date If the shell fire had not been kept
up, new methods of control devised and knowledge
of them spread broadcast.
You know familiarity sometimes breeds con-
tempt. The majority of Southern planters have
been on intimate speaking terms with this weevll
for some years. They recognize his work at every
turn and have been forced more or less to live
with him. but they really don't know this dinky
inhabitant of the cotton plant, for he secrets
himself in the bOlls and squares. However, they
Will have no excuse for not knowing what he
looks like after inspecting my new poster, for it
pictures and describes him so that he who runs
may read And it is well that the reading matter
is in large type, for If 'colored pusSons' should
see by moonlight that picture of a monster weeviI
they would Immediately either choose the city
paVements and cause a dearth of perfectly good
cotton pickers, or mistake him for an opossum
and call on the dogs. Once seen in the daylight,
I'll bet my last years beaver hat to the hole in
that %doughnut the picture will recur often in the
minds of the farmers and with it the accompany
ing selling argument. If they don't carry away
some worthwhile ideas, then it's about time for
me to Join the old ladies' knitting circle"
You must be very sure of your facts when you
put them before the public in such q manner" in
terrupted the congressman. Are you positive
that what these scientists say is correct?"
"Well,' replied Sam, "as a rule, scientists are
careful men and don't talk until they think
they have the proof, was painfully brought to
my notice only the other day while l was riding
with one through a very beautiful and interesting
country. l talked about everything I saw or
could think of, but I couldn't get a rise out of
my careful companion. Upon passing a flock Of
sheep In a field I called them to my friends at
tention and asked what breed he thought they
were. The scientist would not hazard a guess.
At last l became impatient at his conservatism
and exclaimed You can at least see that the
sheep are sheared and you would say that they
are sheared, wouldn't you? NO. he answered,
I would say that they appear to be sheared on
this side.'
Nov what scintillating idea, by the great horn
spoon, would you expect to get out of such a
man that you would be able to poSterize7
Wouldn't VOC be better off to seek a good shady
place and Fletcherize? You might feel like rumi-
mating a bit, but that is not the Job of the office
of information. 1t pumps the facts from the
scientist and presents them to the public in easily
digested form. Doubtless you have seen the DOS
ter giving directions for getting high grades for
your corn or how to handle that dreaded plague
hog cholera. If you are interested in that food
which is found the world around-hen's eggs
perchance you have been directed to the depart
ments egg Gambling and chilling car by one Of
these posters, or have studied the one which
shows the bane OF the egg marketing business
the fertile egg kept in a room where it can start
incubation and quickly spoil. If you believe in
bird sanctuaries. and that the singing laborer is
worthy Of his hire, Mr.. Congressman, 1t would do
VOur aVnc OnOd m ctOn roadTnU a.-uo. u,AtoL -
into the millions and learn how and why you
should feed the birds this winter. If you will
read that poster I'll agree to shave on my chin
whiskers in case you don't take more interest in
the protection OF birds-an inexpensive and de-
lightful recreation. Yes, there are lots of other
posters, pamphlets, and folders appropriate to the
varied activities Of the department; so many, in
fact, I can't remember them ALL"