Based on the success of this Kansas train, one of a similar nature was operated in Texas by the Santa Fe the following spring. With the farm outlook continuing to improve, preparations were begun early in 1923 for another demonstration train to be run in Kansas later that spring, a "Safer Farming Special." The safety concern was not that of farm accidents, but the economic safety fo be gained by diversified farming. The train was to run for one week in early June with a schedule designed to cover these lines: Attica to Wellington, Mulvane to Coats, Englewood to Medicine Lodge, Dodge City to Garden City, Scott City to Great Bend, and Jetmore to Great Bend. The program would include talks on the importance of diversification, emphasizing the relationship between livestock and wheat. In addition to the usual appropriate exhibits, time would be allowed at each stop for local farmers to consult individually with extension specialists. This was a new feature of the ongoing relationship between the railroad and the agricultural college and was a major improvement over previous trains. (19)
This and other refinements came about as the result of input from a variety of people. Typical was the extension engineer who voiced his feelings to Dean Umberger on the importance of good farm buildings in which to house animals and store grain. He felt that the increased production which resulted from the previous year's campaign was offset by losses caused by inadequate housing for animals and storage of crops on many farms. Instead of simply making room on the program for a short talk on this aspect of farming, Umberger decided that small models of desirable farm buildings and equipment would be displayed and referred to by the speakers at appropriate points in their talks.
Technological improvements were included in the refinements-for the first time, broadcasting apparatus was part of the train's equipment. Although Jarrell fretted that radio might prove distracting to the program, Dean Umberger assured him that radio broadcasts from the train would be an added attraction and would not spoil things. The dean was right.
Less than a month before the "Safer Farming Special" departed, Jarrell wrote to Gov. Jonathan N. Davis of Kansas that "a train like this is similar to a revival. We all know how wicked we are, and it is our intention to reform, but often we do not start the reformation until an evangelist comes along and stirs us up. Of course, this observation is not applicable to your good self, but I have experienced it a good many times and I feel that it is a common error of man. (20) Armed with this gospel philosophy, evangelist Jarrell was not worried about having a few extra people on board from time to time, declaring, "we will stow them away somewhere. There will be plenty of food, and that, perhaps, is the main thing. (21)
In addition to looking after the train's entourage, Jarrell frequently found himself in the position of having to respond diplomatically to a host of problems, such as the one which arose when a small town would discover it had been left off the train's itinerary. Leading citizens and the local editor would write Jarrell with great forcefulness, urging the town be included. If at all possible, the omitted town would be accommodated, but at times it was impossible to stray vary far from the carefully wrought schedule. In such cases, Jarrell would suggest that the farmers in that area drive to the closest town where the train would be stopping. In most cases this involved a distance of less than ten miles.
Hometown enthusiasm abounded for this train as well. Roy C. Moore, secretary of the Protection Community Club in that south-central town, offered to help with the train's stop in Protection. Jarrell urged him to encourage farmers to attend the meeting, utilizing not only the newspaper, but the rural telephone and a personal work here and there as well. Al Grad, secretary of the Anthony Chamber of Commerce communicated that "we have planned to make it a big day and use your train as one of the features. We will meet you on your way down from Harper and escort your train by two airplanes. We will have out the band and we are running full pages in the papers to try to make the folks anxious to come." (22) Jarrell responded calmly to his plans, saying, "the airplane stunt I am sure will help as it will be a new and novel feature, and getting the band out will also attract attention."(23) He urged Anthony not to forget the women and children as he felt that the program would be interesting to them as well.
In the town of Alexander, with no newspaper of its own, Santa Fe freight agent George W. Smith relayed to Jarrell his homegrown publicity efforts: "Two oil tank wagons delivering from this place are carrying painted cards advertising this train. Have made a slide and having it shown on the screen at Alexander, McCracken and Nekoma [theaters] this week and next. Arrangements have been made with Telephone Central to give a general call on all county lines the day before train is due to arrive here."(24) Smith's only problem was whether the advertised time of arrival was central or Mountain Time!
The "Safer Farming Special" was not a spectacular success in terms of attendance, for rainy weather minimized the turnout at many stops. Nonetheless, personal effort got out the best farmers everywhere. Thus, the faculty was pleased and to a man felt that they had never seen greater interest in diversified farming or heard so many questions asked about it. Total attendance for the forty-six meetings was only 13,628-this translated into an average of not quite three hundred people per stop.
In addition to Mohler, special visitors aboard the train included H. G. Randall, president of the Southwestern Wheat Improvement Association (SWIA) and vice -president and manager of Midland Flour Milling Company. Randall was much impressed with the train's work and complimented the Santa Fe for putting on such trains to help people farm more intelligently. He was undoubtedly aboard at the urging of H. M. Bainer, director of SWIA. Clyde M. Reed, chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, congratulated Jarrell later, declaring the train a success in spite of the crowds being held down by inclement weather.
An article in the Topeka Daily Capital of June 17, 1923, emphasized the role bankers played in the success of the train: "Kansas farmers are for balanced farming, they recognize its necessity, and they not only welcome banker leadership and direction, but ask for it. One -crop or grain farming is played out in Kansas.Farming as a 12 months' business is the objective of banker-farmer cooperation." Santa Fe's Chambers in Chicago responded saying, "this is very encouraging. It does seem as though Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas were waking up to what is to be gained by better farming methods. The result is bound to be of great benefit to our traffic."(25) Later, Chambers also cheered Rock Island's adoption of a better farming program, declaring "all this helps us. Whatever is done to improve the conditions in Opklahoma and Kansas cannot but beneficial to our business."(26)
With each successive train, the relationship between the railroad and the agricultural college was renewed. Dean Umberger noted in late June of 1923:
Unless one has undertaken a project of this kind involving cooperation between the personnel employed by an educational institution and that employed by a railroad company they cannot understand some of the problems which come up and which may be sometimes hard to handle. Consequently I would like to say that the relationship which we have enjoyed with the Santa Fe through your office has been exceptionally happy, notwithstanding that there is always present the possiblilty such as I mention above. I trust that our present friendly relationship will continue.(27)
In turn, Jrrell felt that KSAC "sent out men who made for the best relationship between them and those cooperating with them. There wasn't anything for us to do but succeed. Our people feel mighty good about the train."(28)
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