Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-08-10

eft is especially important that what
ever will serve to prepare country chill
dren for life on the farm. and whatever
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, thor
oughly and gladly. There is no more i'm
portant person. measured in influence
upon the life of the nation. than the
farmers wife, no more important home
than the country home, and it is of ma
tional importance to do the best we can
for both
"1he farmers have hitherto had less
than their full share of public attention
along the lines of business and social life.
There is too much belief among all cur
people that the prizes of life lie away
from the farm. l 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 bv cooperation between farmers
for buying, selling and borrowing: by pro-
noting social advantages and opportuni-
ties in the country; or by any other lcSit-
innate means that will help to make coun-
fuller of opportunities, pleasures and re-
wards for the men, women and children
of the farms.
II shall be very glad indeed if you will
consent to serve upon a commission on
country life, upon which I am asking the
following gentlemen to act:
professor L. Fl. Bailey, New York Col
lege Of Agriculture, Ithaca. N. =. chair
man Henry Wallace, Wallaccs Farmer
Des Moinos. Iowa; President Kenyon l..
Butterficld. Massachusetts Agricultural
College, Amherst. Mass: Clifford Pinchot
United States forest service; Walter H.
Page, editor of The Worlds Work, New
York.
"My immediate purpose In appointing
this commission is to secure from it such
information and advice as will enable me
to make recommendations to Congress
upon this extremely important matter.
shall be glad If the commission will re-
port 10 me upon the present condition of
country life. upon what means are row
available for supplying the deficiencies
which exist. and upon the best methods
of organized permanent effort in invnsti-
cation and actual work along the lines
I have indicated You will doubtless also
find it necessary to suggest means for
bringing about the redirecton or better
adaptation of rural schools to the train
ing Of children for life on the farm. The
national and state agricultural ;>cpart-
ments must ultimately Join with the va
rious farmers and agricultural organiza-
tions in the effort to secure greatcr Of
ficiency and attractiveness in country.
life.
an view of the pressing Importance of
this subject. ] should be glad to have
your report before the end of next De-
cember. For that reason The commission
will doubtless find it impracticable 20 I'M
dertake extensive investigations. but will
rather confine itself to a summary of
what is already known. statement of
the problem. and the recommendation of
measures tending towards it's solution.
With the single exception of the conser-
walton of our natural resources which
underlies the problem of rural life, there
is no other material question of greater
Importance now before the American peo-
pie. ] shall look forward with the keen
est interest to your report.
Sincerely yours.
(Signcd 'TITEODORE ROOSEVELT"