The Mena weekly star., 1920-04-29
POINTED 10 DUTY
 OF BUSINESS MEN
Dr. Bradford Knapp Pressed Hard the Point That Only Thru Prosperity of Farmers Could Towns Welfare
 Be Promoted.

The business men of Mena who gathered to do honor to Dr. Bradford : Knapp, were fortunate ones to hear from the distinguished visitor a won derfully inspiring address on the re- lationship of business men to the farmer.
 Scholar, scientist and diplomat of long and varied experience, the dean of the states college H agriculture, is ever a champion of the man who tills the soil and leading exponent of the new and advanced thought that town and farm should be brought closer together.
 That the gathering round the ban quet board at Hotel Mena on Friday night is the beginning of new era of relationship between the business interests of the city and the men on the farm was evidenced by the in- tense earnestness shown by Dr. Knapp's hearers at the conclusion of his address.
 The scholarly philosophy of the agricultural leader of Arkansas, coupled with his direct and earnest manner of speech, was almost revo- lutionary in effect, for his was a de- cidely new and novel message to many of his hearers.
 One of the most striking passages of Dr. Knapp's effort was his asser- tion that there should be a develop ment of friendly spirit between town and country. He declared the residents of the town should be con cerned if farmers are not receiving fair prices for their products and be- cause of lack of such are not enabled to obtain fair pay and a reasonable profit from their labors He went a step further and asserted it was the duty, and should be the purpose, of the town to help the farmers market their products.
 "lf this is done wisely" the speak CT said, "the town thrives and the country thrives. If town people know of marketing condition that isn't fair and right and do not correct it, they are laying up trouble for them selves"
 Dr. Knapp interspersed his remarks with illustrations from his travels both in foreign countries and in the United States during his long years of service as representative of the Federal government. He spoke of the present Irish troubles and gave as his opinion they were caused fun damentally because the farmers of Erin had not been treated fairly by their English landlords.
 The growth of the Non Partisan league in the Dakotas and elsewhere is due, pr. Knapp explained, because the wheat growers didn't get a square deal from the bankers and millers and other town-controlled interests.
 Dr. Knapp enlivened his evenings talk, which was the concluding one of his first days visit to Mena, by humorous and witty references, start ing the laughter by announcing that he had great advantages over the native of Arkansas, because he be- came resident of great state thru deliberate choice and not from acci- dent of birth or chance.
 The subject of agriculture in rela- ton t6 the town man was prefaced by reference to the great world war and Germany's attempt at world domination thru economic independ- ence. Dr. Knapp exprest belief the present disturbed conditions were only temporary and out of today's un- rest will be builded a greater Amer ica.
 That the United States is one of the three nations having food surplus was made clear, as was the fact that cotton in terms of power to exchange for food was worth less at present day prices than before the war.
 Dr. Knapp drew clear picture that around the towns are farm factories that are worth more if properly de- veloped than any other form of indus try, and that the towns are dependent upon agriculture for their existence.
 Upon the subject of organization the speaker dwelt at length. Dr. Knapp explained the many and varied organizations of the business world and declared the farmer needs organi- zation too. He told of some of the greatest of farmer organizations and their benefits to those who produce wealth from the soil.
 When farmers thrive, banks thrive, business fourishes, and prosperity rules" said Dr. Knapp, and he ex- plained how the condition was re- versed when the creators of agricul- tural wealth were not fairly treated.
 Organization is one of the funda- mentals of business, the speaker said, and he told of instances in different states where different classes of busi- ness interests had helped the farmer in their efforts to organize. The time has come, Dr. Knapp declared, when the town folks should be greatly in- terested in the folks on the farm.
 He recommended that instead of the city folks asking the farmer to come in and see them, they should go and visit the farmer. More friendliness that shows itself in real constructive work will add to the values in both town and farm business.
 Tn concluding, Dr. Knapp stated