The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-04-01
HOW GOOD WILL WAS
BUILT UP BETWEEN
TOWN AND COUNTY

men, influential IN their respective
spheres, for 10 years had passed each
other on the streets without speaking.
Some said they had trouble over a
law suit. Others were sure it was a
disagreement over some church mat
tiers. Whatever the reason, they kept
it to themselves.
One night they accidentally bumped
into each other on dark street. Ex-
plantations followed which resulted in
the discovery that a mutual misunder-
standing had caused the needless 10
year GOODNESS. They became friends
again.
That is an actual incident. 1t illus
trates the difference that sometimes
exists between a town and surround
ing country.
Town and Country Each Need
the Other.
Such difference is nearly always
founded on misunderstanding. The
town believes the country is spending
too much of its money at other plac-
es, and does not appreciate what the
local mart has done for its rural
neighbors, while the rural neighbors
get the idea that the town is indiffer-
ent to them.
To secure the good will Of the pro-
duction districts is vital matter to
every town. Commercial Clubs have
sought to take in the farmers as menu
bers, and make them co-workers in the
development of town and country.
Then there have been business tours
through the farming districts, speech
es, music by the band, cheers and a
good time. Some of these plans have
produced good results. But too often
things fell back into the old rut after
the edge of the enthusiasm wore off.
A Plan that Worked.
A country editor worked the most
successful plan | ever observed, his
town was less than thousand, but it
was county seat and had very val
liable farming country for miles
around. Then he had larger COM
peting town eight miles away. 1t
happened Editor Joe knew a good
deal about farming and stock raising,
and still more about human nature.
He went to the leading merchants OF
his town.
men," he said, tive haven't any
factories, coal mines. colleges or local
industries to give US trade. We must
get it from the outlying country, the
farmers and the stock raisers. Now,
with my paper I'm going TO make all
these people within reach friends OF
our town on condition that you give
EN- o square deal in your stores, Buy
your goods so that you can sell as
good and as cheap as any town within
100 miles, and as far as possible guar
antee everything you sell. And l
want some of you to agree to take at
the best market price everything the
farmer has to sell"
Editor Joe had taken over the Trib-
une when it was a rather wobbly con-
Germ. but he knew the field and was
satisfied about what he could do If the
merchants would do their part. He
began by sending sample copies broad
cast. The paper was full of farm and
stock news and well-selected miscel-
lany for the women of the home. The
editorials were thoughtful, sound, and
appealed to good sense. 1t was real
weekly.
Editor Pleased the Farmers
Now it happens that when farm
er raises a lot of pedigreed hogs he
is as proud of that accomplishment
as a lawyer is who wins a big case.
And Joe was "wise" to that impor-
can't fact. He knew pretty near every
producer who came to town, and made
It his business to interview him at
.ength about what he had brought in,
and give the details of the sale. II a
~
farmer didn't bring anything in to sell
Joe would interview him as to the
farm, ask shout the crops, how many
acres he had in corn and other grain,
how his truck garden and poultry yard
was coming on. Now these things are
the life of the farmer. He loves to
talk about them, and it pleases him
when the editor takes enough interest
in his work to print what he has done-
If he reads about a neighbor bringing
to market a lot OF pedigreed hogs, ne
becomes ambitious to bring in two
loads. Thus the paper is thing Of
vital interest to him. 1t works right
along with what he is doing day by
day, and he couldn't get along With
out it.
Always Printed the Farm News.
The Tribune always carried page