The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1919-05-01
THE AUTO A UTILITY

III Il COMMUNICATION 10 the Iowa
Homestead, one of their readers makes
the following pertinent observations in
regard to the utility of the auto for
the farmer:
Il have come to the conclusion that
had the farmers not recognized the
utility of the automobile as soon as
they did the automobile industry would
not be as fourishing as it is today.
Farmers have contributed more to the
growth and development Of the auto
than any other class Of people, be
cause it has in most cases found a
permanent place in their daily affairs
which has completely taken the place
of the driving horse.
"A group Of farmers were discuss
ing the question the other day: What
would we do if We had TO give up our
cars They certainly did not view the
question in a pleasant light, and all
agreed that farming interests would
not advance so rapidly in the future
as they have since the advent of the
automobile.
The progressive farmer of today
comes in touch with the business af-
fairs of his country and community.
His life is not confined entirely to
sowing, sweating and reaping. He
must be up and seeing what his neigh
bors and his town are doing, for there
lics his interest. If he is in the live
stock, poultry or dairy business he
try or dairy men are doing and see
the results OF their success or failure.
The little hints and suggestions he
picks up may save him from a sad
experience or give him a new trend
Of thought on growing or marketing.
The automobile gives him an oppor-
tunity to do all this; it makes him a
wide-awake fellow and makes him
more Of a business man.
Il was at a home the other even
ing where were gathered a crowd Of
fifty young folks. About forty of the
young folks came in their automobiles.
They were as fine and well-behaved
a set OF youths as | ever saw. They
attend church and church functions
regularly, they are wholly contented
with farm life, and they do not leave
the country to seek diversion in the
city as wise prophets contended they
would a few years ago when the auto
was just becoming popular with the
farmers.
Il honestly believe that with the
coming of the motor car the young
folks on the farm actually find more
beauty, pleasure and romance in the
country than they used to. They feel
that the wide country belongs to them
in great part. and little touring par
ties with their neighbors make life
pleasant. But how about the older
folks? Well, the novelty never wears
off; they're always eager to go, too.
Now that this country is engaged
in a life struggle there is a still great
or need for the growth and expan-
sion of farming in order to meet the
war demands Of the nation and our
allies. 1t is to be hoped that the farm
or will not be denied the use of his
car in his business. 1t is an absolute
war necessity on the farm. The re-
turn to the driving horse would set
him back in a hundred different ways.
Many a farmer who bought his car
for the pleasure he thought he would
secure from it has found that it was
as necessary a part Of his farm equip
ment as a telephone Or some other
convenience.
when the nation called for men to
solicit funds for the care and protec-
ton of our soldier boys and to sell
liberty bonds farmers responded with
their cars and took up the work. By
this means countless other farmers
kept in touch with national affairs and
offered themselves where needed.
Farmers attended war meetings and
helped to stimulate crop production.
The motor car played an important
part.
81 have talked to merchants in the
cities who say they have felt the in
fiuence of the motor car. Farmers go
to the city o%ftener, they spend their
money in their home stown instead Of
away from home, which increases tht
volume of business and stimulates the
growth Of the town. The town. there
fore, has more to offer the farmer in
the way of implements, hardware, mer-
~chandise, banking facilities, parks,
amusements, fair-sservice OF all
kinds, and in return the farmer is Civ
en- a good market for what he pro-
duces."
Nv S. S.