The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-11-19
FARMERS TO MEET
BEFORE DECEMBER 5
To Discuss What Are the Most Impor-
tant Subjects for the Country
Life Commission to Con-

urday, December s, TO discuss the ques
tions which the commission Is studyinl
and 20 indicate their own ideas Of wha
are the most important subjects for th'
commission TO consider.
In letter 20 the members Of th'
Country Life Commission the president
says tho farmers should feel "a sense o
ownership in the commission" and tina
he believes that the commission shoulC
get into the closest possible touch witt
the farmers. He urges the importance
Of holding the meeting before Congress
adjourns prior to the Christmas holidays
50 that at the time Congress reason
bles, early in January, the commission
may have reports Of the meetings II
hand and may be sin position TO advise
definitely what should be done"
At the same time President Roosevelt
adds two members 10 the commission
one member from the South and ont
member orfm the far West--Mr. Charles
is. Barrett Of Union City, Ga, and Mr.
William A. Beard OF Sacramento, Gal.
The letter Of the president to Chair
man Bailey follows;
Inc Whlle HOUSE,
Washington, Nov. 0, 1908.
MY dear Professor Bailey;
/ wish at the outset cordially to thank
you for the way in which you have taken
hold OF the work YOU are doing. No
more valuable work for the people Of
this country can be done, because No
moro valuable work for the farmers OF
this country can be done.
Now Of course the whole success OF
the work depends upon the attitude Of
the people in the open country, Of the
farming people Of the United States. II
they feel an awakening interest In what
you are doing, they should manifest il,
Moreover, Il is essential that the farm
ers, the men who actually hive on the
soil, should feel a sense of ownership in
this commission, should feel that you
gentlemen in very truth represent them
and are responsible 10 their desires and
wishes, no less than to their needs. IL
seems to me, therefore, that It would
be wise TO try to get into the closest
possible touch with the farmers Of the
country and 70 find out from Thorn, SO
far as you are able, Just what they
regard az being the subjects with which
II Is most important that you should
deal. This you are already doing by
sending out circular OF questions and
by holding meetings in different parts
OF the United States. But perhaps
something more can be done
accordingly suggest that you ask the
farmers to come together in the several
school districts Of the country, so that
they may meet and consider these mat.
tiers. suggest the school districts be-
cause the schoolhouse would be tive
natural and proper place for such a
meeting; or they could meet at other
customary or convenient places. II would
be well if the meetings could be held
within the next three or four weeks;
that If, before Congress adjourns prior
to the Christmas holidays, 50 that st
the time Of the reasseInbling Of Con.
gress early in January YOU win have the
reports of the meetings and so will be
in position to advise definitely what
should be done. suggest that you ask
them to meet not later than Saturday,
5th; and you will of course
use your own Judgment whether to sum
mon the meeting by circular or other.
wise.
Throughout this letter where use the
word farmer" | mean also TO include
all those who live in the open country
and are Intimately connected with those
who do the farm worls--ministers school
teachers, physicians, editors Of country
papers, in short all men and women
whose life work is done either on the
farm or in connection with the life work
of those who are on che farm.
You know better than I what topics
you win suggest How would II do to-
include such topics asst
The efficiency of the rural schools;
Farmers organizations;
The question Of farm labor;
The need Of good roads;
Improved postal facilities;
Sanitary conditions on the farm,
Your purpose is neither to investigate
The farmer not to inquire into technical
methods Of farming. You are simply
5rving 10 ascertain what are the gen
eral economic social educational, and
sanitary conditions of the open country,
and what if anything, the farmers
themselves can do 20 help themselves,
ind how the government can help them.
10 this end your especial desire is to
get in touch with and represent the
'armers Themselves The commission
low consists Of five members. shall
lsk two more gentlemen to serve upon
t, SO that the full membership will be
u follows:
Prof. i. II. Bailey, New York State
college OF Agriculture, Ithaca, N. Y, |
Mr.. Henry Wallace, Wallace's Farmer,
les AioiRos, Iowa;
Kenyon b. Butterfeld, President Mas
iaehuesetts Agricultural College, Am
lerst, Mass.
Clifford Pinohot, L. s. Forest Ser
nee, Washington, D. G.;
Walter II. Page. Of North Carolina,
editor Of the Worlds Work;
Charles s. Barrett, Union City, Ca, |
nd William A. Beard, Sacramento, Cal /
Commission on Country Life.
November u, 1908,
Sir: The Commission on Country Life
! much gratifed that its efforts have
net with your approval. The public /
interest in the subject seems to be wide.
prcad and 70 be constantly growing,
5 the purpose of the work becomes
nown Discussion Of the inquiry that
he commission is making, among the
eople themselves, is the best means OF
IRVING at clear understanding of
that the Country Life problems real
7 are. The commission gladly welcome
our suggestion that all country peo-
reat questions, and hereby requests all
ersons who are specially interested in
be welfare OF the open country to
ieet in their usual gathering places on
r before December 5 to discuss the
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