Brief summary of a talk by John R. Fleming, writer for the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, at 1931 AAACE convention, Corvallis, Oregon. He said he doubts whether it is possible for Extension to be both a propaganda and an educational institution at the same time. "As editors who want something intellectually satisfying to work for, we shall probably prefer that Extension pursue the path of education." American Association of Agricultural College Editors.
Describes a USDA bulletin in which the scientist(s) didn't write it, but rather a writer who "obtained material from many specialists, and worked it into a synthesis for a particular purpose."
Raises eight questions for ACE members: " 1) Are we glorified clerks or are we scientists? 2) What are desirable forms of publication and information materials? Scientists are demanding longer bulletins. The public is calling for shorter. 3) What should be the professional training of men and women to become agricultural and home editors? One school suggests that all that is needed in our fields is a certain facility -- we are engaged in a science -- home scientists measure success by acceptance in AP and UP. 4) Is there opportunity for research in the field of farm and home editing? 5) What is to be the future of agriculture and what leadership will the college of agriculture, the experiment stations, and the USDA be called upon to give? Together with our institutions, we must begin long-time planning. 6) What place has and will the radio have in carrying to the people the results of research? 7) How shall we measure results in our field? 8) What are we going to do about it?"
