The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1921-11-11
The Country Papers Power
For Coz d
BY I. E.IECK
Commissioners Of Agriculture

Some weeks ago had something to
say 10 regard TO the newspapers of the
State, and the great power they exer-
cised for good IN their communities, land
the duty of the citizens of these com
munities to give their papers their
whole hearted support. feel that q
few more words on this subject would
not be amiss. just now at the tire
when the country papers are calling
attention to "Home Paper Week."
For sixteen years / published a
county weekly newspaper, and during
that time learned many thing about
its possibilities and its limitation. l
came to understand how much is
expected Of the county paper. and
how. In many cases, scant appreciation
is shown of the work done by the news
papers.
The newspaper in every community
does more gratuitous work than any in
dividual or organization 10 that COM
munity. The newspaper man is natural
booster it's bis natural inclination. You
may go into any community and make
inquiries about the location of new In
dustries, and sou will find that the
newspaper has been the chief factor in
inducing new capital and new business
to come into the community. 1t is
often the case that the newspaper man
is so interested in boosting everybody
else's business that be neglects to boost
his own in the degree that it should be.
The newspaper mans vocation is one
be can well afford to be proud of. and
one which he is justified in boosting.
Others will respect the newspaper
and give it support sometimes when
some OF the boosting" spirit IL evidef c.
ed in the interest of the newspaper.
The newspaper is the moulder of
public op,nion-it makes and unmakes
politicians, and it is the power above
all others that makes for the progress
and prosperity of community. The
industrial developement of Tennessee
during the last few decades has been
phenomenal, ane has been brought
about largely by the spirit of the news
papers Of the State In advertising our
great natural resources in coal, iron.
phosphate and other minerals. And in
similar degree the great agricultural
development of the Safe is largely due
to the spirit of cooperation shown by
the press of the State In cooperating
with the Dep, rtment of Agriculture
and the Division of Extension 10 the
spread OF knowledge in the best me, IN
DDS in farming. But there remains
great deal to be done, and am sure
that the newspapers of the State will
to Cooperate in the develope-
ment of the agricultural interests of
the State. because they realize that
agriculture Is the basic industry, and
unless the agricultural classes OF the
nation are prosperous there can be no
permanent prosperity for the State and
Nation,
We are all interested in the sgricul
tural Development of the State. o.
ginally our land in Tennessee was all
fertile, but we have followed a system
IT farming that in many cases has
'oobeI the soil OF its fertility. On
svery hand can be seen CALLED hillsides,
he resul. of poor farming. The coun-
Try newspaper reaches every part of
he county in which it is published. and
be broad policy of that paper in its
cooperation in preaching the gospel OF
peter farming will result in retaining
much of the land in the State that has
been abandoned as worthless; acreage
viii be increased and with better
Methods of farming. production will
Increase.
Every community in the State owes
I to itself to give unstinted support to
ts home paper. The nome paper keeps
he hearts of the citizens of the CON-
nunity beating in unison, going in.o
ZONES each week with all the news of
he community, and generally with sane
md kindly advice on questions that
lirectly affect the community. The
is power for good. for
,roeress and prosperity. and the In. |
Of the individual citizen in its
Ippoit Is one Of the best be can make, I
SURGEONS agree that in easea Of !