Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1908-09-03

er FAMILIES unless focal co-operarlon 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
ment idea must be extended in the
country as well as in cities. The lot
or farmers has been greatly improved
by rural telephones and mail service
and interurban 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 success.
Think President Is Sincere.
While 1t 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 evi-
denced by the high price of Iowa land
Is enabling farmers to have nearly ali
modern convenienccs of the city In their
homes, making them financially able 10
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: Il am well 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 Roosevet's suggcs-
ton for the betterment OF conditions
on American farms has become better
understood 1t has received more seri-
Gus consideration from the farmers in
the vicinity of Ell Reno, Okla, although
there are those who think the sugges-
tion looks too much like paternalism
and an invasion of individual and fam
fly rights.
John Fallon, u prosperous and pro-
gressive farmer of Canadian county.
looks upon the proposition as good
one and regards any plan, idea or prof.
ect looking to the bettering of condi-
tions 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
right"
Enthusiastic In Texas.
Farmers at Brownsville, Tex, are en-
thusiastic over Roosevelt's plan to bet
ter their social condition. This is the
sentiment expressed by the leading
planters and farmers of the Rio Grande
valley. The agricultural community of
this region is comparatively new, all
having sold their holdings in the north
within the last two or three years and
settled in the Rio Grande valley and
coast country of Texas. The farming
community about Brownsville is there
fore an unusually intelligent class.