Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-11-29
WHAT IS WRONG
WITH THE COUNTY?
Defects Are Pointed Out, and Rene
dies Suggested That Would Tend
to Make Happier and More Pros
porous Community
By SMITH HAGAMAN

In studying a condition with
view to remedy, it is always best
to try to know the truth, although
it may not be as favorable as we
might desire.
Let US try to ascertain few facts
with reference to our county's real
condition.
First, l believe we have one of
the very best counties in the state,
viewed from many angles-rich in
soil, fine grass, fruits and vegetables
can be grown in great varieties.
This gives the county wide range
of selling products-cattle, sheep,
poultry and high class vegetables.
| might say, parenthetically, that
| heard man of wide acquaintance,
a citizen of another county, remark
few days ago, that there is no
other citizenship quite so fine as
Watauga' a's-neighborly, cooperative
and sympathetic-and l made no at
tempt to convince him otherwise.
| am quite sure there is just one
thing wrong with our county-and
| am thinking of it as one big busi-
ness nterprise-which ought to be
remedied and it can be done.
To state the case clearly, the peo-
pie of the county as a whole in rapid
transition from the old conservative
order to the new, in the rush toward
an easier and more luxurious life,
have allowed themselves to plunge
into debt beyond safe and sane bust
ness lines.
am quite sure that the buying
program has gone very much beyond
the income of the county as
whole. This would soon wreck any
business concern.
Perhaps some one would suggest
as remedy a more conservative
buying program and no doubt this
would be wise, but it is matter of
common knowledge that perhaps not
many would take that kind of ad-
vice, hence the best solution to this
problem-and it is problem-is
that ways and means must be de-
vised by which the people can make
more money than they are now MAX
ing.
Every band in the county has the
information that this condition
must be met sooner or later.
No great business concern would
think for one moment of trying to
function that did not have a man at
its head or as general manager who
knows the business thoroughly, and
who can organize the many details
into one great money-making
whole. | am thinking of the varied
interests the farmers of our county
as one big business that can be in a
measure so organized
I have talked with a number of
farmers ard business men of the
county and find them almost unani-
nous in their opinion that Watauga
needs good capable man TO aid the
farmers in program of increased
production, better marketing and in
fact to help him to make more
money.
| am quite sure the dairying in
terests of the county are going to
be offered, in the next few months,
quite an interesting proposition.
The banks of the county are so
much interested in securing a good
man to aid in stimulating the varied
interests of the farmers of the coun-
ty that they are anxious to aid in a
substantial way so that it would cost
the taxpayers of the county very lit
tie. Almost evrey progressive coun-
ty in the state has found it is the
wisest investment that they are max
ing.
Banking and other interests pros
per only in proportion to the farm
ers' prosperity.