Morris tribune., 1908-08-15

! able, happier and more attractivei
Such result is most earnestly to be
desired. How can life on the farm
be kept on the highest level and where
it is not already on that level, be SO
improved, dignifed and frightened as
to awaken and keep alive the pride
and loyalty of the farmers boys and
girls, Of the farmers wife and Of the
farmer himself? How can a compel.
ling desire to live on the farm be
aroused in the chil6ren that are born
on the farm? All these questions are
of vital Importance not only to the
farmer, but to the whole nation. We
hope ultimately to double the average
yield of wheat and corn per acre. It
will be great achievement, but it is
even more important to double the de
STABILITY, comfort and standing of the
farmers life
''It is especially important that what
ever will serve to prepare country
children for life on the farm and what
ever will brighten home life In the
country and make it richer and more
attractive for the mothers, wives and
daughters of farmers should be done
promptly, thoroughly and gladly.
There is no more important person,
measured In influence upon the life Of
the nation, than the farmers wife, no
more important home than the coun-
try home, and it is Of national i'm
portance to do the best we can for
both. -.-..
''The farmers have hitherto had less
than their full share of public atten-
ton along the lines Of business and
social life. There is too much belief
among all our people that the prizes
of life lie away from the farm. I am
therefore anxious to bring before
the people Of the United States the
question Of securing better business
and better living on the farm, whether
by cooperation between farmers for
buying, selling and borrowing, by pro-
noting social advantages and oppor-
tunities in the country or by any other
legitimate means that will help to
make country life more gainful, more
attractive and fuller Of opportunities,
pleasures and rewards for the men,
women and children of the farms.
81 shall be very glad indeed If you
will consent to serve upon commits
sion on country life upon which I am
asking the following gentlemen to act:
Professor L. H. Bailey, New York
State College Of Agriculture, Ithaca, N.
Y, chairman; Mr.. Henry Wallace,
Wallace's Farmer, Des Moines, Ia;
President Kenyon L. Butterfeld,
Massachusetts Agricultural college,
Amherst, Mass: Mr.. Clifford Pinchot,
United States forest service; Mr.. Wal
ter Fl. Page, editor Of the Worlds
Work, New York.
"My immediate purpose in appoint
ing this commission is to secure from
1t such information and advice as will
enable me to make recommendations
to congress upon this extremely i'm
portant matter. I shall be glad If the
commission will report to me upon the
present condition Of country life, upon
what means are now available fof
supplying the deficiencies which exist
and upon the best methods Of organ
lied permanent effort In Investigation
and actual work along the lines I have
Indicated. You will doubtless also
find it necessary to suggest means for
bringing about the redirectfOn or bet
ter adaptation Of rural schools to the
training Of children for life on the
farm. The national and state agricui-
tural departments must ultimately
Join with the various farmers and
agricultural organizations in the effort
to secure greater efficiency and at
tracttveness in country life.
I'm view Of the pressing importance
OF this subject should be glad to
have your report before the end Of
next December. For that reason the
commission will doubtless find It i'm
practicable to undertake extensive in
vestfgatfon but will rather condne it
self to q summary OF what ia already
known, statement Of the problem,
and the recommendation Of measures
tending toward it's solution. With the
single exception Of the conservation Of
our natural resources, which underlies
the problem Of rural life, there is Nc
other material question Of greater i'm
portaRce now before the American peo-
pie. shall look forward with the
keenest interest to your report"
That the appointment of commits
sion to investigate by President Roose
welt marks an epoch in the history of
the country and also inaugurates one
of the presidents greatest policies is
the opinion of Clifford Pinchot. chief Of
the forest service.
'"The presidents appointment of this
he said, "marks the in
auguration of the third Of his great
policies, the central idea of which is
to see to it that we have not only bet
ter crops, but also better, happier, more
contented and more efficient men and
women on the farm. Farm life ought
to be made so profitable and attractive
that the farmers boys and girls will