Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-09-17

surprised by the facts which have
presented, not for the purpose OF
being critical, but rather to direct
condition which 1 think inimlcal to
the future welfare and progress OF
the United States and it's people.
There is another phase of this
question which it is appropriate to
juncture. During the war the ig-
norant and incapable received finan-
cial recognition and wages out OF
ala proportion to their capacity to
earn or deserve. Physical proves
should be encouraged but it can
never replace intellectual prowess
Let us do no obeisance to false gods.
shippers of the Golden Calf. Under
the conditions which existed at the
time the congress of the United
States sat passively by and failed
to advance the salaries Of the
scientists of the department of ag-
their lives Of service prevented the
actual Gripping Of some of our
agricultural interests, made posi-
BILE the creation of much new
wealth, and added greatly to the
development of our country. Thus
many men and women possessed OF
the finest minds; the highest sense
Strated their patriotism and devo-
tion to duty beyond any possibility
of successful contradiction were al
lowed to shrivel up and die or va
cate their places and seek CONNER
cial jobs which in the stress OF
wartime prices made it possible for
them to buy bread for their fami-
lies. The state experiment stations
suffered the same sort of scourg-
ing because Of the indifference of
the responsible authorities of the
various commonwealth concerned
The hand of investigation, in SO
far as it relates to agriculture and
it's correlated industries, has been
set back twenty-five years. The
losses entailed can never be accur-
ately estimated, but the destruc-
ton of the enthusiasm of a gen.
Grafton of scientists and the pro-
nounced commercialization of re-
search workers which has ensued is
a staggering blow at best to the
cause. Is IL not incredible that when
this country was the granary of the
world; when we were struggling to
prepare and convey a great army
abroad that the balance of power
that of our allies, that many Of
the research workers, the very
agents who supplied the informa-
ton by which the war was won,
ShOulQ nave D6on Ia d IledSu IG uI1N-
en- out of their places at the ceun-
sci table of the nation.
am not So much concerned about
Industrial research as agricultural
research. Industries long since rec
ognized the value and the essential
nature Of work Of this character to
the development and advancement
of their business. Many great, in
stitutions in this country have
been founded, endowed and are now
supported largely by men who m ade
their fortunes out of industrialism.
It is wise and proper that this
should be the case, although the
democracy is a dangerous thing.
Let us not forget this fact in the
enthusiasm Of the moment. There
has always been, and there is, !
think, more strongly evidenced now
than ever before in the history of
our country an apathy and 1ndlf-
search. Somehow the Industrial cap
italists have not sensed the de-
cadence in rural conditions; evil
denced on every hand in spite of
all the prating and arguments ad-
vanced to the contrary. AS evil
dence we are told to witness our
during the war period. Conversely,
observe what happened last year
when we imported $1,815,7S4, 100000
worth of foodstuffs irrespective of
a shrinkage of twenty per cent in
our exports of the same. They do
not recognize the necessity of safe
guarding and Strengthening the
sources of production of our raw
materials or Of 1nsuring the farm
er a cost plus basis on which to
operate. They do not seem to eval-
uate the great losses suffered and
the consequent depressing effect
which the fearful inroads Of plant
if you please, Of scrub seed and
animals exercise over our agricul-
ture at this time. There are those
who think that the federal govern
ment and the several states are GO
ing all that needs to be done, and
per 100000 Of agricultural wealth
produced for the amelioration or
improvement of rural conditions.
Of the money assigned to the great
United States department of agri-
culture less than sixty-two per cent
is used for investigational purposes
When I tell you, that the expert
ment stations in the southern states
are literally starving, I am not
making any startling or unusua.
statement to those who have &C.
quainted themselves with the facts
IN the case.
Has the time not come when a
concerted and unified effort should
be made to arouse our people to
the pathetic financial condition OF
our research organizations and in
stitutions as they pertain to agri-
culture? Are there not some wealthy
men, even though they may have
industrialism, who realize the dan
gers of the situation and are will.
ing to do for agricultural re-
search what has been done SO many
times for innumerable other agen.
cies, quite essential no doubt but
the country than the maintenance
| of a constructive agricultural pro
| gram and satisfied and happy
| rural population.
I have been naively. asked on E
number of occasions If 1 though
their existence. Most of these in
quiries I am glad to say, come
from old man know ALL" Thi!
| class of our citizenry constitute:
a powerful minority which we neet
| to educate, secure mandate owe
idea of research no doubt CORE
| factotum who advised me when
asked him what he thought abou
| research that he knew all about it
"Yessah, boss man, that's what tn
white folks 5es to a niggah de!
expects C. bootleggin.' Thi
philosophic hswer should satisf!
It would be impossible to recit
the benefits which research institu
lions have conferred upon the PEG
| pie of the south. In this connection
I wish to say that no one station
is properly to be credited with al
| Of the beneficial results enumeratet
below. On the other hand, the Unitet
States department of agriculture
has co-operated with all of then
! through its various bureaus mos
| effectively. It is one of those case