New-York tribune., 1908-11-16
| TO BENEFIT FARMERS
PRESIDENT 4CTS AGAIN.
Wants Commission to Get IN Close
Touch zcith Country Life.

Washington Nov 15.-Thorough cooperation OF
farmers and professional interests connected with
them throughout the United States in the work q
the Country Life Commission IS urged. and the ap-
pofntueut of two additional members OF the COM
rnission-C-harles 5. Barrett, of Union City, Ca.
and William A Beard of Sacramento, Calls m
nounced in a letter from President Roosevelt 10
Chairman Bailey of the commission
The letter and the reply of Mr. Bailey welcon-
ing the Presidents suggestions were made public
to-day. The Presidents letter, dated November g.
follows:
My Dear Professor Barley.
/ wish at the outset cordially 20 thank you Tor
the way In which you have taken mold OF the WoTk
You are doing No more valuable Work @ Ior me me
more valuable work for the farmers of this country
Now, Of course, the whole success. Of the work
depends upon the attitude Of the people IN the opr
country, of the farming people or lns IIlseu -.
States. II they Eel an awakening interest IN EhaI
over, il is essential that the "a Tlefs me mel -
actually live on the soil. should feel sense OI
gentlemen in very truth represent them and are
responsive their desires and wishes; no less than
TO their needs. It 10 me, therefore, that II
would be wise to try to get into the closest POSI-
pie touch with the farmers of tne eouI'J , ii ist
what they regard being the subjects win Wnicn
it is most important that you should deal This
you are already doing BY sending out clrcuIar OF
questions and by holding meetings in dlnersIt @
parts OF the United States But perhaps some
thing more can be done.
accordingly suggest that you ASK 'e 5s+t ~
TO come together in the several sch0ol distrcI OL
the country, that they may meet and consider
cause the schoolhouse would be the natural and
proper place for sucn a meeting; or tney coua
the 7ext three or for weeks: that is before Con
gress adjourns prior the Christmas holldays 50
5ss1e mi : ri = III e 5 g @ e
initely what should be done suggest tnat you
cembeT 5 and YOU viii, Of coJrse. use your own
judgment whether 10 summon the meeting BY eT-
Throughout this letter where I use the word
live in the open country and are intimately CON
nected with those who do the farm Work--IillIls-
try paper-in short all men ana women whose
tion with the life work Of those VINO are on lhe
You know better than what topics you will
suggest. How would it do 70 include such topics
a 'The Efficiency of the Rural Schools, arm
Labor. The Need OF Good Roads Improved
Postal Facilities or Sanitary Conditions on tne
Farm? - .--,-o-
Your purpose is neither 20 investigate the farmer
10 inquire into technical methods or rarIlns- NJ
You are simply trying TO ascertain wLlal a[S j+ eo
general economic social, educational and sanitary
fpiIx th VI f1aT IN 4beJnseIves can DO 70 help
themselves and how the government can neiP
touch with and represent the farmers themselves
The commission now consists OF nve nleIloerS- nl!. =
shall ask gentlemen 10 serve upon T. 50
that the full membership vii be as 54ao"S o,,sre
oT Ae-iCUItnre ithaca n Y chairman: Henry
wallace 'Wallace's Farmer Des Moines, Iowa;
sets Agricultural College Amherst, Mass: Gif-
ford Pinchot, United States Forest Service Wash-
ington: Walter H Page, Of North Carolina cd
itor OF The Worlds Work. Charles s Barrett
Union City, Ga, and William A Beard Sacra-
mento, Cal.
Again thanking YOU and with al good WlsIle>
for your success in this great and important Nork
0siis'e me- 's'' S---TTi THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Ny Baiiey's reply to the President follows
The Commission Country Life is much graft
fed that its efforts have met with your apprOsS-
The public interest in the subject seems 70 oe
widespread and to be constantly growing as lAe
purpose Of the work becomes known DISCUSSION
of the inquiry that the commission IS HaklnS
among the people themselves fs the best means or
arriving at q clear understanding or what the
country life problems really The COMMISSION
gladly welcomes yoIr suggestion that all country
people come together 10 Gonsider-th great QueS-
tions. and hereby requests all persons who are
specially interested in the welfare OF the open
country 10 meet in their usual gathering places
on or before December 10 discuss the subjects
Won suggest or any Of the questions on which the
commission is making inquiries
Copies of the questions may De secured Dy WriL-
ing 10 the Commission on Country Life. Washing
The commission desires that SO Tar as pos
slble. a general summary estimate OF the as
CussiUns the meeting places be promptly sent
10 its office in Washington. so that II may have
the benefit of all suggestions in preparing It's re-