St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1919-10-11

warped or our vision clouded by minor
or factional issues.
Agriculture
There are so many important inter
ests of Louisiana pressing for atten.
ton. There is agriculture, which n
recent years has 1anguished to the ex.
tent that in 1918 we have raised in
Louisiana only 40 per cent Of u re.
quirements of stock food, corn, oats
and hay, and sent out of the state ap-
proximately $46,O 900, 900 of good Louisi-
ana money to enrich the frmers of
other states.
During the same period we produced
only Is per cen of our consumption
of dairy products, and by u purchaes
elsewhere in that line in excess OF
$40, 000, 900, made ourselves poorer and
other states richer in that amount.
During last year we raised only 10
per cent of our work stock and bought
elsewhere 80 per cent at an aggregate
cost of $4,000, 900.
Our production of beef cattle, hogs
and sheep during that period was
negligible. What part of cur consump.
ton of these animals is produced in
Louisiana? The answer is staggering,
We send out of the state each year
millions and millions of dollars for
these products, while with intelligent
and aggressive effort we should, in a
few years, easily raise all that is nee.
essary for our own needs and a sur
plus for foreign markets.
Our present Department of Agricul-
ture through the genius and zeal and
devoted service of a comparatively
small staff, with only limited funds at
it's disposal, has already rendered sig.
nal service and contributed so much to
the welfare and progress of u agri-
cultural interests thus far, must be
developed and extended along broad
lines. We must not only build and
maintain at Baton Rouge a greater
Agricultural College, which will be in
harmony with the rich of our
state, but we must provide the means
and trained personnel and equipment
necessary to carry out to every parish
and even remote localities of the state
the inspiration, technical knowledge
and practical experience of those thor
oughly trained in the schol of intelli-
gent farming, stock raising and dairy.
ing along modern and progressive
lines. The development OF this pol
icy will cost money, but it will be
money well spent and an investment
which will yield large dividends in
the development of our agricultural
resources and wealth.
Good Roads
1t is NO longer necessary to explain
to an intelligent person the advantages
and even economic necessity for i'm
proved thoroughfares, for roads which
are good in the true and literal sense
of the term. Every foot of bad road is
a constant drain on the resources Of a
community a serious obstacle and
even barrier to the progress and de-
velopment of the section 1T serves, but
even worse than that, it is a burden
some and oppressive tax on every
pound of traffic which nov over it.
/ do not believe that our people gen.
erlly realize the magnitude of the
work now in progress in the construc-
ton of of good roads in Louisiana or
the vast sum which is even at this
time available for that purpose.
In my judgment. the highway de-
partment shoulr be directed absolutely
from every other department. and
should be so organized as to guarantee
the most intelligent Jealous and eff
fic;eat supervision. Every requirement
which science and practical experience
in other states can suggest in the con-
struct on ard maintenance of our
roads should be Observed in oder that
the construction ma be OF such char
acter is VIII accommodate with the
least possible expense in the matter Of
maintenance and of repair the heavier
and largely increased traffic which
will surely follow improvement of our
rural thorcughfares. To the policy
suggested by the words, | unqual-
ifiedly pledge myself.
Public Education
The cause of public education and
universal education is n which
claims our most enthusiastic sympathy
and support. We owe a heavy debt
of grateful appreciation to those noble
and self-sacrificing men and women
who have devoted their lives to the
cause of public education generally for
compensation totally inadequate. And
we should see to it that our teachers
not only receive compensation COM
mensurate with their service, but I'M
der proper conditions there should be
some provision for a pension to those
who have devoted their lives to this
worthy cause and grown gray in the
service.
Capital and Labor
You have a right to know my views
regarding capital and labor.