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Show THE RliML PRESS T!io Local Fcr a ricct Useful Agency on Iho Farm Tho Przzs, Put-.'.i T.-.'J CAiiaoi -j Trinity of Influonco That Must Be Utlll-:-' In Duiiding Afjrlculturo. By Petar RadTord - Lecturer National Funntrs' Union A broad campaign o( publicity on the subject of rural lite la needed In tills statb today to bring tlia problem: of the farmers to the forefront. The city problems are. blazoned upon the front pages of the metropolitan dallies dall-ies and echoed in the country press, )ut the trouble the aimers are seldom told, except by those who seek to profit by tho story, and the glitter of the package ofttimes obscures ob-scures the substance A searching Investigation In-vestigation Into the needs of the farmers will reveal many Inherent defects de-fects in our economic system that can be easily remedied when properly understood un-derstood and Illuminated by the power pow-er of the press. The rural pr-'ss, tho pulpit and the school are a trinity of powerful Influences In-fluences that the farmer must utilize to their fullest capacity before he can occupy a commanding position in public pub-lic affairs. These gigantic agencies are organized In every rural community and only await the patronage and cooperation co-operation of the farmers to fully develop de-velop their energy and usefulness. They are local forces working for the best interests of their respective communities. Their work is to build and their object is to serve. They prosper only through the development and prosperity of the community. Every farmer in this state should subscribe for the local paper, as well as farm periodicals and such other publications as he may find profitable, but he should by all means subscribe for his local paper, and no home , should be without it. The local paper Is part of the community life and the editor understands the farmer's problems. prob-lems. It is the locn I press that will study the local problems and through its columns deal with s'ubjectB of most vital Importance to local life of the community. A Noble Task. In too many instances the country . papers mimic the city press by giving giv-ing prominence to scandals, accidents and political agitation. The new rural civilization has placed upon the 1 rural press renewed responsibilities, '; and enlarged possibilities for useful- ness. It cannot perform its mission I to agriculture by recording the frail- ties, the mishaps and inordinate am-. am-. bitions of humanity, or by filling its , columns with the echoes of the strug-, strug-, gles of busy streets, or by enchanting ' Btories of city life which lure our children from the farm. It has a bigher and nobler task. Too often the pages of the city dailies bristle with the struggle of ambitious men in their wild lust for power, and many times the flames of personal I conflict sear the tender buds of new civilization and illuminate the pathway path-way to destruction. The rural press is the governing power of public sentiment senti-ment and must hold steadfast to principle and keep the ship of state In the roadstead of progress. The rural press can best serve the inter- 1 ests of the farmers by applying its energies to the solution of problems affecting the local community. It I must stem the mighty life current that is moving from the farm to the cities, sweeping before it a thousand . boys and girls per day. It has to deal with the fundamental problems of civilization at their fountain nead. Its L mission is to direct growth, teach efficiency ef-ficiency and mold the intellectual life of the country, placing before the public pub-lic the dally problems of the farmers , and giving first attention to the leg- islative, co-operative, educational and social needs ot the agricultural classes ' within its respective community. The Power of Advertising. The influence of advertising is clear-, clear-, ly visible in the homes and habits of the farmers, and the advertising columns col-umns of the press are making their Imprint upon the lives of our people. The farmer possesses the things that 1 are best advertised. The farmer is entitled to all the advantages and deserves all the lux- uries ol life. We need more art, science sci-ence and useful facilities on the farms, and many homes and farms are well balanced in this respect, but ' ! the advertiser can render a service by teaching the advantages of modern : equipment throughout the columns of the rural press. The farmers are In need of personal leadership. They have political leaders, lead-ers, but they need local industrial community and educational leaders. |