UNITED STATES RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION ST. LOUIS SOUTHWESTERN RAILROAD OF TEXAS Co-operating with THE EXTENSION DIVISION OF THE TEXAS A. & M. COLLEGE. UNITED STATES AND STATE DEPARTMENTS OF AGRICULTURE For Further Information, See Your County Farm Demonstration Agent POSTER ADVERTISING THE COMING OF AN EXHIBIT TRAIN This is the type of poster that is frequently sent out in advance of agricultural trains. The posters are usually on white paper or card with black letters. The news value of the material on the poster doubtless secures readers who would not be inclined to give attention to so much reading matter if it conveyed only educational information.] ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCAL CO-OPERATION IN MANAGEMENT The co-operation of a local committee is needed in advertising and running the show. The extent of this co-operation will depend upon the size of the staff in charge of the train, size of the community, and the nature of the program. The duties of local committees as described in reports of various campaigns include: 1. Co-operation in advertising the coming of the train. 2. Making or checking up arrangements for the proper placing of the train. 3. Arranging for a reception committee and helpers, as described in the section on attendance (pages 55 and 98). 4. Securing such additional equipment as is called for by the program, such as a meeting hall, motion picture or stereopticon machine. 5. Arranging such entertainment as may be needed by the train staff in the way of living quarters or meals, or both. The importance of providing for the comfort of the speakers and explainers who work under a severe strain can hardly be overestimated. GETTING THE ADVANCE WORK DONE The advance work is usually carried out by correspondence with a local committee or individuals, or by sending an advance agent to make the arrangements. Many tours of trains have been carried on without an advance representative, in some cases because the expenses seemed prohibitive or because of the difficulty in securing a suitable person for this work. When well-organized local groups in communities to be visited are already interested in the aims of the tour, it may be comparatively simple to handle the advance work through correspondence. But usually it is far more desirable to send an advance representative. Arranging for local co-operation by correspondence is a slower method than working through a personal representative. The headquarters staff also have a more difficult task in preparing publicity material and letters that will arouse the same enthusiasm that the agent can instil through his direct contact with editors and other community leaders. An example of the use of letters in place of an advance agent is the following which was sent to health officers as one of a series addressed to leading citizens by the West Virginia Public Health Council: