Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-09-18
COMMEND
THE ROOSEVELT PLAN
Letters in Quantities Reach the
President-Wallece Is
Enthusiastic.

Washington, Sept. 12-Whatever may
mission plan for the uplift of the farm
er and the betterment OF conditions of
farm life. 1t cannot be disputed that 1t
has aroused attention. Even the move
ment for the conservation OF natural
has not stirred up the inter
est n discussion that the movement
for the benefit of farm life has. 1t
is not merely being widely discussed
by the press. President Roosevelt Is
getting large numbers Of letters relat-
ing to his plan and most OF such let
ters come from farmers themselves.
who are seemingly awake to the inn
p~ortance of the project. These letters
are being sent TO Washington by Mr..
Roosevelt to Clifford Pinchot, who Is
one OF the commission, and they will
be presented to the entire commission
when II holds It's first meeting. as II
will do at an early date.
Generally, the letters express warm
approval OF the commission idea and
many of them max valuable sugges-
tons as to how farm conditions can be
improved upon. Through most of the
letters there runs a note Of longing for
better schools and better opportunities
for neighbors to meet together, en-
gage in discussion, hear lectures and
the like. Better opportunities for read
ing are also urged as needful In many
instances. The Idea of cooperation is
put prominently to the front and many
OF the letters speak out plainly against
the middlemen. II Is plainly felt that
the farmer Is being mulcted of undue
sums by the elevator men, the stock
dealers, the creameries and the retail
ers. Many suggestions OF cooperative
corn n pias IL, nrnrnttnifia for tho
pose Of buying and selling to advantage
are made.
The consolidation of rural schools, so
as to do away with the district school,
and have township high schools, meets
with much favor. The Importance OF
good roads Is dwelt upon more than
any other one subject. Good roads are
urged In connection with the consolida-
ton OF schools. the township library.
the extension Of the advantages of
rural free delivery and other steps for
the Improvement of conditions In the
agricultural sections. 1t seems to be
the idea of many who write to the
president that IL the people OF a town
ship or neighborhood could have a
library where they could obtain books
and where also they could meet to con-
slider any matters Of interest to them.
as well as having lectures and enter
tainments. nue. zest would be added to
life In the average community. To
make 1t possible for the people OF a
neighborhood to gather frequently and
readily, good roads are essential.
In one case a hired man writes at
length. He does not paint a glowing
picture OF the life Of the hired hand.
He tells what his experience for years
has been and says ne has found the
eight-hour day is In force on the farm,
eight-hours before noon and eight
hours after noon. This writer Is plainly
of the opinion there is room for i'm
provement.
Wallace Gives Approval.
An earnest letter has been received
by the president from Henry Wallace,
of Des Moines, who Is one Of the mem
bers of the commission. Mr.. Wallace
says: Il am glad to accept the APP
pointment which has come to me SO
Unexpectedly, and to give the best SER
vice which time n strength will per-
NIT. / am exceedingly glad that you
have put yourself behind this move
ment for the betterment of the social
and Industrial life Of the farming COM
munity. There are sections In some
portions of the Western states In which
the farmers life is almost ideal: but
there are other sections, notably in the
South, in the extreme West and in
much OF the territory In the Eastern
states, in which there is very great
need OF improvement. or course help
must come from the farmers them
selves, but the fact that you have
brought ii before the people In this
public way Will do very much TO slim
ulate farmers to Improve their condi-
ton. / am grateful to you for the OPP
p~ortunity TO aid In pushing forward
this movement.