The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-09-23

at b Inauguration three years ago.
there is as much oom for lettering So
cial conditions right under the shadow
of b capitol as there is out here ii
Indiana. We send our children to
school, have the daily papers brought
to our doors every morning. can talk
to our n%eighbors and city cousins hy
telephone, take a bath when we think
we need it and don't think we neel a
commission to take care of us just yet.
Personally l would recommend the
president to reserve his commission for
the Indians and the white slaves"
Government Advice Useless.
Farmers in the vicinity of Alton, ILL.,,
believe that 1t would be difficult to i'm
prove social conditions among farm
er families unless local cooperation is
given. Farmers would have to inter-
est the government in giving financial
assistance for building Of good roads,
encouragement of extension Of public
utilities to the country now enjoyed in
the cities. Good roads must come first
before social life In the country be i'm
proved. Then the service improve
uent idea must be extended In the
country as we'll as In cities. The lot
of farmers has been greatly improved
by rural telephones and mail service
and i%nterurban electric lines. Social
life Is Just what the farmer and his
family make 1t, and government ad-
vice as to rural social delights would
hardly be q success.
Think President 10 Sincere.
While it is true that during recent
years there has been a marked I'M
provement in the social conditions of
farmers and their families, the farm
ers Of South Dakota recognize that
there IS room for further improvement.
Such Of them as have read the outline
Of President Roosevelts plan for i'm
proving their social condition by the
commission method and by suggesting
legislative action express the belief
that the president is absolutely sincere
In his effort to improve the social con-
ditions of the, farmers Of the country,
but that 1t Is a matter which cannot
be adjusted by the president or con-
gress. The true solution, they declare,
Of the desired improvement lies with
the farmers and their families, each
for themselves, and that no two farm
ers might agree as to what was an i'm
provement of their social conditions.
Up to Farmers Themselves.
One farmer says: "Betterment Of
conditions is up to farmers themselves.
No commission can materially help the
farmer. Material prosperity as evil
denced by the high price of Iowa land
Is enabling farmers to have nearly all
modern conveniences of the city in their
homes, making them financially able to
own an automobile, have telephone
service and make home and surround
ings more attractive to the rising gen
Grafton, stemming the tide cityward."
Another says: II am we'll pleased
with Roosevelt's interest in the welfare
of the farmer. The appointment Of
Henry Wallace Of Des Moines to the
commission is an excellent choice"
It's a Good Idea.
Since President R%oosevelt's sugges-
ton for the betterment Of conditions
on American farms has become better
understood it has received more seri-
GUS consideration from the farmers in
the vicinity Of Ell Reno, Okla, although
there are those who think the SUCCESS
ton looks too much like %paternalism
and an invasion Of individual and fam
lily rights.
-.
John Fallon, a prosperous and pro-
gressive farmer Of Canadian county.
looks upon the proposition as n good
n and regards any plan, idea or prof.
ect looking to the lettering Of condi-
lions as something which means an
honest trial. He voices his faith in
President Roosevelt's honesty and is
not alarmed because the present propo-
sition Is a novel one. MANY of the
presidents IDEAS" he said, "are novel,
but they generally turn out to be
Enthusiastic In Texas.
Farmers at Brownsville, Tex, are en-
thusiastic over Roosevelt's plan to bet
ter their social condition. This is the
expressed by the leading
planters and farmers of the Rio Grande
valley. The agricultural community of
region is comparatively new, all
sold their holdings in the north
the last two or three years and
in the Rio Grande valley and
coast country Of Texas. The farming
about Brownsville is there
fore an unusually intelligent class.
Small Hats From Par;e