The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1917-03-01
AGENT RICHARDS
WILL CONTINUE
If PEOPLE OF COUNTY WANT HIM
T. =. WILL KEEP UP WORK
;
Cost to the County Approximately
$1,000 Per Year or 22c Per
Quarter Section

Many have no doubt learned that the
county board of commissioners vOtedl
or at least enough votes were cast by
meeting against appropriating county
money for the purpose of assisting in
carrying on the county agricultural
work for another year, Some of the
papers in announcing the actor. of the
board in their issues of last week gave
the impression that the action of tine
board in effect abolished the office of
the county agent and that the action
made it impossible to carry on the
work. Many who favor the continu-
,ance of the work are of this belief, re-
gardless of the statements in the pa
pers, evidently, from the way many
have expressed themselves to me.
This, however, is not the case, for
the office of the county agricultural
agent is primarily of state and federal
origin and is created by their cooper
ative authority under the provisions
of the Smith-Lever Bill passed by con-
gress. The office is conducted under
the direction of the state Agricultural
College and handled under the Exten-
sion Department. Funds are contrib
uted by both the Agricultural College
and the U. S. Department of Agricul-
ture to maintain the work as provided
by the Smith-Lever law. 1t is evident
therefore that the only authority the
county commissioners have is to ap-
propriate limited amount of money,
as provided by law, to be used for as
sisting in carrying on the work. Where
the county appropriates funds the Ex-
tension Department co-operates with
the commissioners in carrying on the
work and their suggestions given care
full consideration and theysare found
helpful by the Office in keeping in
touch with the needs and as to how
the greatest results can be accom-
plished. Some boards, we find, enter
into the spirit Of the cooperative re-
1atfons better than others and the ef-
feet of the work is in proportion.
I am making this explanation as a
matter of knowledge to the public and
to let the citizens of the county know
that the Office of county agricultural
agent has not been abolished and that
the work will be continued as hereto
fore until an announcement is made to
the contrary, for how long am not in
a position to say at the present time.
The chances are also quite prom
Using that the work will be carried on
for another year or more without coun-
ty aid, under plan similar to one
that is employed in many other coun-
ties. Whether this will or can be done
will depend, no doubt, upon the 10y
atty and efforts of the citizens of the
county who favor the continuance of
the work.
Let it therefore be known that the
services of the county agricultural
agent are available for the present
and those who wish the assistance of
the Office may receive it as in the past
and that the work planned will be car
ried on until further announcement,
which will be governed by those in
charge of the Extension Department of
the Agricultural College and the de-
sire of the citizens of the county for
continuance.
AS to whether the action of the
board of county commissioners was
justified and a wise and judicious act
! shall leave it to the judgment of the
people of the county. However, in
drawing their conclusions it is only
fair they should carefully consider the
facts in the case, mt only weigh the
individual benefits obtained. but the
benefits of the work to the community
the future.
The amount contributed by the coun-
ty for the work during the past three
years averages approximately $1,000