The Bismarck tribune., 1925-02-10
COUNTY AGENT
REPEAL VOTED
IN THE HOUSE
BY Close Vote Measure Is
Passed Repeating Agricul.
tural Extension
NEW BILL is Z
Substitute Measure PrOpos-
ing More Local Control
To Be Sought

BY vote of 63 to AZ, the House of
Representatives yesterday afternoon
passed House Bill No. 9S, repeating
the law providing for the employ
| ment Of county agricultural exten-
sion agents in the state The mea-
sure was passed after much debate.
Another measure, introduced by
the committee on agriculture, has
been introduced providing method
by which county agents may be OBJ
tanned. Under it vote could be had
on petition OF 25 percent of the vot-
ers. the state extension division to
provide one-half the salary of the
agent and the county to provide at
least $4,000 toward maintaining the
work. but not to levy tax exceed
ing 5 mill.
There was considerable debate on
the county agent repeal, as on Sat
urday when the measure was in COM
mittee of the whole. The preponder-
ance Of votes for the repeal came
from Nonpartisans. although faction
al lines were not adhered to in the
voting.
Rep. Hanson. Grand Forks county,
Independent, opening discussion, de-
clared he had been farming 45 years
and didn't believe county agent
could tell him much about farming.
'If you pass this bill I'll buy my
woman a birthday present with the
money l pay in taxes to maintain a
county agent" he said, land when
give a party III make the calendar
a part of the ceremonies and read
the names of those who voted for it,"
Rep. Sagen, Ramsey county, Inde-
pendent. opposed the repeal. He said
there are SO counties that have
agents. and he declared the agents
had done much to form boys and
girls clubs. encourage community
gatherings, cause adoption of bee
raising and many progressive meth
! DDS of farming.
For The Bill
Mrs. Minnie Craig, Nonpartisan,
vigorously supported the bill.
81 believe that county agents are
sent in counties to break up the
political alignments," she said.
Second. to break up little coopera-
tive buying organizations. also
know boys and girls clubs are form
ed to teach the young to 60 along
political lines. l know of one coun-
ty agent who said he was sent into
community to get the farmers and
business men together"
Rep. Hanson. speaking again, de-
clared he didn't like "the situation
the state is drifting in where we
have to hire someone to do our
thinking for u.s."
Rep. Paul Johnson. Pembina coun-
ty, stating he was the oldest man in
the House, said he was for county
agent and that he was not too old ia
learn something new about farming
Rep. Hoople, Nonpartisan, declared
in his belief it would be step back
ward to prevent employment of coun-
ty agents.
"Mrs. Craig made the statement
that county agents were sent out ia
keep farmers from organizing" she
said. Last winter l was at the
head of body trying to form po-
tato growers organization and l want
to say that during the campaign we
got hearty cooperation from the
county agents"
Rep. Sprou1. Cass county, declared
there "is some difference between 8
county which wants an agent and Z
county that needs one. You'll always
find the most progressive farmers al
a meeting called by county agent.
Continued on page y