New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-05
THE PROBLEM OF THE RURAL POOR.
oo, ,.r,oS OFFERED ON LINES SIMILAR TO MR.

,1oxyARD's PLAN FOR CUBA
To the Editor OF The Tribune
.'7 - reas,ne William Willard Towards excel
len, article suggesting plans for inc fe"ei y. 80.
reconcentrados am struck oy 'he eNa0. .,h,
~ Tho nan 10 one which has been recently 'n'ue"'
% -. ,oa,hod OF restoration Of our own apah-
sor.d ~arn,s' and as n relief for the ciscoutaseu
farmer Of small means who may ne louiIu al 'oO''
files remote from metropolitan centres Inc
,h,nr about is that the full development OF the
plan (on paper) after trial of several years wins
,La y charm and is identical with that OF the dis-
tingushed gentleman who writes so ably ABOUT 'he
reeds of the moment in Cuba. AND yet 'here mas
been no possible communication or IDEAS TOT inc
1nanuscrp; is but the last OF series OF 'hree poohS
written on huma niarian lines. the first two iatey
unfinished dealing with the congested society OF
the cities and only the last now In preparation TOT
the publisher dealing through graphic notion with
the problem of the rural poor. many or thein dlS-
couraged and homeless. crowdng 10 the cities 10
1nd employment IT is a fact not to lie contradicted
that in certain portions Of own state. especially
IN the northern and western AdirondacKs, over
large tracts OF cleared spaces there ere nunler-
GUS farms, beautifully cultivated, but
latterly, in the native vernacular. run out until
st has become impossible for any one not versed In
the science OF the soil TO gain Il LIVELIHOOD from
them. ,,.., . -.
by Mr. Howard is carried out n an imagnary :'hct
enthusiast and cnerpI!sins Ameri,an who taKes
numser OF farms undeT me- ~ obnn
doned farms, but in most cases merely taking an
interest I'm the local residents who are willing 10
he assisted a start In life. and BY suggestion
evolving methods Of successful work
He does not wound them by indisorim nate offers
Of hep. but in the most practical ways brings about
astonishing results. lie keeps his finger upon the
pulse OF the market. invents easier and cheaper
methods Of transportation. has sets Of modern i'm
PIGMENTS and labor-saving machines 10 be used IN
common. and finds that by massing the live stock
during winters he can persuade many VINO have
city homes to buy summer farms, and thus add
example 10 precept with renewed health 70 boot.
In this imaginary case there Is no tax levied on
the State for either implements or the salary OF
euperintendens, but II IL carried by speculative
private enterprise. IL Is "a well-knOwn fact that
there those who have suffered for the neccs
sares Of lie In these regions, at doors. while
the OF royal living lie within the soil II they
could only have very little help 10 make this
Kiondike yield its stores. BY plan OF this
kind these now barren fields could be made to bios
som as the rose. II shows conclusively that those
who are busy studying Humanitarian plans and
principles. though far distant from
other with actual communication Of ideas, often
arrive at the same practical solution OF difficulties
and that the newer fiction may have its part 10
play in these great themes. May not the solution
Of the mental mystery lie IN the fact that there IL
an ai,-pervading Mind who impresses those who
willing 20 be impressed into the highest ser
vice for mankind that OF leading the Discouraged
the fatering and the unfortunate into paths OF self
helpfulness? j. OLIVER SMITH.
Jamestown. N. Y. March a. 1898