Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1920-09-09

be enacted by Congress and the State
Legislatures as will guarantee this
| right.
"Thc drift of population from coun-
| try to city is not only menace to the
future food production of the nation,
| but it threatens the political life OF
tho nation. Ii is 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 longest the centers Of pOpu-
| lation and add fuel to the fires of un-
| rest and discomfort, we favor the al
! pointment, under proper resolution ana
| appropriation by the next Legislature,
of a commission composed of farmers
and farm experts, who shall investi-
! gate such legislation as may be neces-
sary TO encourage the ownership OF
| farms and to develop the rural life so
! that it may hold out the same promise
Of material rewards and social On-
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 oil the nation. The commission
above mentioned should be charged
with the duty of Investigating and Pc
porting upon all progressive legislation
enacted in this and other forward
| looking nations of the world for the
| encouragement of farm ownership and
the advancement of rural life. Such
investigation should include the sub.
jcct of rural credits, community
schools, improved roads, better mar
keting facilities, farm taxation and
related subjects.
The State Department of Agricul
tire should be reorganized by the
next Legislature, to the end that it
will be the state clearing house for the
agricultural activities Of the state. l.
should be patterned upon the model of
other progressive states, where n
State Board of Agriculture, nominated
| by the farmers organizations, should
take the place of the present political
organization. The executive head OF
the Bureau of Agriculture should not
be selected by reason of any political
fayors already conferred or expected,
but solely with reference to his fit
ness for the task. The salary of such
executive, 10 be named by the Board
of Agriculture, should be sufficient 10
attract the most capable talent avail
able. No reflection is intended on any
Commissioner of Agriculture, past or
present but it is the system against
which we protest.
More generous appropriations
should be made for public education,
and particularly for the rural COM
munity schools. 1t should no longer
be necessary for farmers to move
from their farms, turn them over to
the mercies of tenants, and still
further longest the cities and towns
or permit their children to grow up
IN ignorance. The university of the
state, and especially its college Of.
agriculture, should be adequately sup
ported, to the end that there may be
developed a rural and farm leadership
that will be capable of competing with
the leadership of any other interest
or industry. Nothing save public ed
ucation will 10 more to make tie
country attractive than good roads,
and we urge that increased state and
Federal aid be given for this purpose
We appreciate the fact that If the
country home is to retain the boys
and girls 1t must be made more attrac-
tive, therefore, we urge Increased ap-
preparations for additional instructors
In rural sanitation, in rural
In home economics, and II
on rural life.
~. ]. FINNEY,
"F. II. DUNKL1&
y. HOMER HAk