Putnam County herald. (Cookeville, Tenn.) 1903-1922, 1920-09-23

be enacted by Congress and the Stats
Legislatures as will guarantee this
right.
"The drift of population from coun-
try to city is not only menace to the
future food production Of the nation,
but 1t threatens the political life Of
the nation. 1t Ia today the most mo-
mentous issue before the public. To
the end that effective measures may
be taken to check this tendency to still
further cOngest the centers Of popu-
latiOn and add fuel to the fires Of I'M
rest and discomfort, we favor the al>-
p0intment, under proper resolution and
appropriation by the next Legislature,
Of commission composed Of farmers
and farm experts, who shall invest%
gate such legislation as may be neces-
sary to encourage the ownership OF
farms and to develop the rural life SO
that 1t may hold out the same promise
Of material rewards and social or
portunities that are offered to the
young men and women in the towns
and cities The increase in tenancy,
placing the most productive lands in
the care and custody of those who are
not vitality concerned about their con-
tinued productivity, and who have no
abiding interest in the community
where they may live. should challenge
the attention of every patriot concern
ed for the economic and political fu-
ture OF the nation. The commission
above mentioned should be charged
with the duty Of investigating and re-
porting upon all progressive legislation
enacted in this and other forward
looking nations Of the world for the
of farm ownership and
the advancement Of rural life. Such
investigation should include the sub
ject of rural credits, community
schools, improved roads, better mar.
keting facilities, farm taxation and
related subjects.
The State Department of Agricuk
ture should be reorganized by the
next Legislature, to the end that It
win be the state clearing house for the
agricultural activities Of the state. Il
should be patterned upon the model Of
other progressive states, where q
State Board Of Agriculture, nominated
by the farmers organizations, should
The executive head Of
luc DuTcdu VI agriculture ouOulu HOS
be selected by reason Of any political
favors already conferred or expected,
but solely with reference to his 1T
ness for the task. The salary of such
executive, to be named by the Board
of Agriculture, should be sufficient TO
attract the most capable talent avail
able. No reflection is intended on any
Commissioner of Agriculture, past or
present, but 1t is the system against
which we protest.
"More generous appropriations
should be made for public education,
and particularly for the rural com:
munity schools. It should no longer
be necessary for farmers to move
from their farms, turn them over to
the mercies of tenants, and stin
further longest the cities and towns
or permit their children to grow up
In ignorance. The university Of the
state, and especially it's college Of
agriculture, should be adequately sup
ported, to the end that there may b
developed rural and farm leadership
that will be capabe Of competing with
the leadership Of any other interest
or industry. Nothing save public ed
ucation will DO more to make the
country attractive than good reads,
and we urge that increased state and
Federal aid be given for this purpose
We appreciate the fact that II The
country home Is to retain the boys
and girls 1t must be made more attrae.
tive, therefore, we urge increased ap-
for additional Instructors
In rural sanitation, In rural hyEianA
In home economical and for lectures
on rural life
I, u j. FINNEY. Chatrm~
"F. H. DUNllLIN.
81. HOMER HANCOCK- +