The Detroit times., 1908-11-21
TO AID FARMER IN
SOLVING LIVING
QUESTIONS
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT URGES
COMMISSION TO CONFER WITH
RURAL RESIDENTS so GOVERN.
MENT CAN ASSIST.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 2, AT the
suggestion OF President Roosevelt. the
country life commission has asked the
farmers OF the country TO meet in their
respective communities some time be-
fore Saturday, Dec. 5, TO discuss the
questions which the commission is
studying and To indicate their own
ideas OF what are the most important
subjects for the commission TO con-
slider
In letter To the members OF the
country life commission, the president
says the farmers should feel "a sense
of ownership in the commission" and
that he believes that the commission
should get into the closest possible
touch with the farmers. He urges
the Importance of holding the meet
ing before congress adjourns prior TO
the Christmas holidays, SO that at
the time congress reassembles, early
in January the commission may have
reports of the meetings in hand and
may be "in position to advise definite
ly what should be done
AT the same time President Roose-
welt adds two members to the COM
mission-one member from the south
and one member from the far west
Mr.. Charles S. Barrett, OF Union City.
Ga, and Mr.. William A. Beard, OF
Sacramento, Cal.
Suggests School Houses.
The letter of the president to Chair
man Bailey Follows:
My Dear Prof Bailey:
IL suggest that you ask the farm
ers to come together in the school
districts OF the country so that they
may meet and consider these matters.
suggest the school districts because
the schoolhouse would be the natural
and proper place for such meeting;
or they could meet at other custom
airy or convenient places. 1t would be
well IL the meetings could be held
within the next three or four weeks;
that is, before congress adjourns prior
to the Christmas holidays. SO that at
the time of the reassembling OF con-
gress early In January you Will have
the reports OF the meetings and SO
will be In position TO advise definite
~ what should be done. | suggest
that you ask them to meet not later
than Saturday, Dec. 5; and you Will
of course, use your own judgment
whether to summon the meeting BY
| circular or otherwise
| Throughout this letter where | use
| the word farmers | mean also tC
| include all those who live I'm the oper
country and are intimately connected
with those who do the farm work
ministers. school teachers, physicians
editors OF country papers, In short, al
men and women whose life work Is
done either on the farm or in connec
ton with the life work of those who
are on the farm.
Subjects Are Indicated.
"You know better than | what
topics you will suggest. How would II
do to include such topics as:
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 investi
gate the farmer, nor TO inquire into
technical methods OF farming. You
are simply trying TO ascertain what
are the general economic. social, edu
cational and sanitary conditions OF the
open country, and what, IL anything
the farmers themselves can do TO help
themselves, and how the government
can help them. To this end your es
pecial desire Is to get In touch with
and represent the farmers them
selves"