Firing County Agent and Home Demonstration Agent Not Best Solution to Tax Problem, Says Editor, Jan. 6, 1924

The County Commissioners have a hard knot to untie today as they decide what to do about Home and Farm Demonstration Work in the county. Delegations who want the work continued voiced their desire in no uncertain way here yesterday, and at the same time the commissioners are faced with the proposition of cutting taxes. Some of these present plainly said that to cut out the Demonstration work would be to kill the goose that laid the golden egg. They depend upon the pure-bred chickens, the hogs, the fruits and vegetables to pay their taxes, an infinitesimal part of which is for Demonstration Work. It seems to us they are tackling the wrong item to reduce taxes. We all want them to cut but the way to do it is not clear yet. The schools call for the biggest tax levy, but we must have schools. County officials must draw their salaries, but we must have county officials. It would appear that a more uniform tax system and more rigid collections would help matters. Delinquent taxes mean that the county must borrow money to take care of the debt that the man who fails to pay, owes. It is not for us to suggest to the county commissioners how they may untie this knot, but we are of the opinion that cutting out our Extension work will only draw the knot tighter.

From the editorial page of The Smithfield Herald, Johnston County, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 1925

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