Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1908-09-03
Deems Roosevelt Right.

question Is one or national Importance
and IS deserving of the prominence the
president would give 1t"
William NJ. Nutter of Kennebunkport
said: 81 am in favor of anything in
the nature of the policy of investiga-
ton with view to Improvement which
the president outlines in his letter to
Professor Bailey. 1 hope and believe
the movement Will result in benefit to
the farmer all over the country and
will result in placing him in a position
of greater strength economically and
socially than he has ever been In be-
fore"
Doubts Roosevelt's Plan.
Orrin Gilbert Of Middletown, Conn,
prominent granger and successful
farmer, says: Il believe in helping Il
man that tries to help himself The
American farmer is one of the most in
dependent men in the country and sim
ply asks to be treated equally with
other men. Help given the farmer
through state agricultural experiment
stations and the government agricultur-
al department In combating diseases,
the study of insect pests and expert
ments with many varieties is a good
thing, but to go beyond this would be
likely to have taint of patronage and
would be detrimental to the best in
terests Of the farmers and would be re-
sented by the most of them. be-
lieve in the betterment Of the farmer,
as it would tend to the betterment of
the nation, but think that President
Roosevelts plan would not be for the
best as understand it from the press"
W Potato Bugs Killed of.
Th i sentiment of the farmers
on tn. md of Long Island seems
to be aga +; the principles of Presi-
dent Roose>, in advocating the sani-
tary improvements on the farms.
Frank Thllburg, who has farm at
East Marion, says: II believe that
President Roosevelt's suggestion to-
ward improving the condition on the
farms Is grand, good thing. Insects
of various descriptions are fast de
stroying the crops of brussels sprouts
and caulihower between East Marion
and Riverhead. Our cucumbers are in
pitiful condition. What about the
potato blight? What we want is to
have men from the agricultural de-
partment sent down here to look over
our farms and find out how we can get
rid of the pests There IS plenty of
money spent in the agricultural de-
partment Why not spend some in this
way?"
None Happier Than Farmers.
Madison county Qnd) farmers almost
unite that Roosevelt is not familiar
with farm life of today and disagree
with him that they could be happier
and more sanitary. Jerome Brown,
county commissioner and successful
farmer, said:
''Roosevelt's idea might have applied
to some of the country years ago. but
not today. We live well, and none is
happier than farmers Sanitary condi-
tons of farm homes are, as rule, bet
ter than rs per cent of homes In any
city. Most families on farms have
more rest and recreation and are
healthier than townspeople. Our death
rate is lower than in cities. and sui
cides are rare in rural districts. There
is also less of race suicide"
Takes Bath When Needed.
Howard d. Trcase, speaking of Cedar
Creek township, In Indiana said:
Il don't know anything about the
farmers in other states or parts, but
guess we in Indiana are managing to
take pretty good care of ourselves. If
President Roosevelt could do some
thing to better the condition of our
crops it would be more TO the point. |
don't believe | could ever get used to
blowing corn in Il swallowtalled coat
or milking the cows In a plug hat
When my horses balk | usually maui
them with a clapboard, although II
might be more according to the rule of
etiquette to read them few stanzas
from Browning.
MY notion is that the president
could find plenty to do If he'd try his
reforms on lot of congressman from
the cities. The country congressman
Seem 10 average up ABOUT fiSnt, ana,
Judging from what saw when was
at the Inauguration three years ago
there is as much room for bettering so
cial conditions right under the shadow
Of the capitol as there is out here in
Indiana. We send our children to
school, have the daily papers brought
to our doors every morning, can talk
to- our neighbors and city cousins by
telephone, take bath when we think
we need 1t and don't think we need
commission to take care of us just yet
Personally l would recommend the
president to reserve his commission for
the Indians and the white slaves"
Government Advice ussisss-