The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-11-17
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Washington. d c.. Nov. 16.-Thor-
ough cooperation OF farmers and pro-
fessional interests connected with
them. throughout the United States
in the work of the country life com
mission is urged and the appointment
OF two additional members Of the com
mission. Charles s. Barrett, of Union
City, Ca, and william A. Beard. OF
sacramento. cal. Is announced, In a
letter of President Roosevelt to Chair
man Bailey OF the commission.
The letter and the reply OF Mr..
Bailey welcoming the presidents Sug-
gestions were made public today The
presidents letter follows, dated No
yember 9:
MY Dear Professor Bailey: ! wish
at the outset cordially to thank you
for the way in which you have taken
hold of the work you are doing. No
more valuable work for the people OF
this country can be done, because no
more valuable work for the farmers
Of this country can be done.
Now, Of course the whole success
of the work depends uaoa the attitude
of the people in the open country. of
AAN AnA hlAAH HNOHiG VI AAA 0hAANh
States. II they feel an awakening
interest In what you are doing. they
should manifest IT. Moreover IL is
essential that the farmers. the men
who actually live on the soil should
feel sense of ownership In this com
mission. should feel that you gentle
men in very truth represent them and
are responsive to their desires and
wishes no less than to their needs II
seems TO me, therefore, that II would
be wise to try to get into the closes
possible touch with the farmers Of
the country and to find out from them
so far as you are able. just what they
regard as being the subjects with
which Il is most important that you
should deal. This you are already
doing by sending out circular of
questions and by holding meetings In
different parts OF the United States
BuS perhaps something more can be
done.
Il accordingly suggest that you ask
the farmers 10 come together In the
several shcool districts OF the country
80 that they may meet and consider
these matters ! suggest the school
districts because the schoOlhouse
would be the natural and proper place
for such q meeting; or they could
meet AT other customary or conven'
lent places. Il would be we'll II the
meetings could be held within the
next three or four weeks, that Is. be-
fore congress adiourns prior to the
Christmas holidays. so that at the time
OF the reassembling of congress early
IN January you win have the reports
of the meetings and so will be In posi-
ton to advise definitely what should
be done. / suggest that you ask them
TO meet not later than Saturday, De-
cember 5, and you will. OF course, use
your own Judgment whether to sum
mon the meeting by circular or other
wise
throughout this letter where use
the word farmers I mean also to In
cmde all those who live In the opei
country and are intimately connected
with those who do the farm work
ministers, school teachers, physicians
editors OF country papers, in short all
men and women whose life work y
done either on the farm or In connec
ton with the life work Of those who
are on the farm.
'You know better than / what topics
you viii suggest How would It 90 tc
include such topics as:
THE efficiency of the rura
schools; Farmers organizations;
iThc question OF farm labor; Tho
need Of Ro0l roads Improved pOsta
facilities; Sanitary conditions on The
farm
Your purpose Is neither to lnyesti
gate the farmer nor TO inquire into
technical methods OF farming. YOl
are simply trying TO ascertain wha
are the general economic, social, edu
/ catiOnal and sanitary conditions OF ih'
open country. and what, II anything
I the farmers themselves can do 10 hell
I themselves, and how the government
can help them. To this end your es
/ pecial desire Is 10 get in touch will
and represent the farmers themselves
The commission now consists OF five
members. I shall ask two more gen
/ tlemen 10 serve upon II, so thar the
full membership will be as follows
Prof l.. A. Bailey, New York Stat
College OF Agriculture, Ithaca. n Y
chairman; Henry Wallace, Wallace
Farmer, Des MCinLa IA Kenyon
buAAililfiAf piNH4NNnA -A'aeaA AAh"'Ah a.
Agricultural college, Amherst, Mass
Clifford Pincaot, United States fores
service. Washington, D. c.; Walter II
! Page. OF North Carolina. editor Of M
Worlds Work; Charles S. Barrett
Union City. Ga, and William X Beard
Sacramento. Cal.
Again thanking you. and with a
good wishes for your success In IN!
great and important work, believe M
Very sincerely yours.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Mr. Bailey's reply 10 the presideu
follows.
The commission on country life
much eratlfied that its efforts hay
met with your approval The publ
interest in the subject seems % b
widespread aud 10 be constantly grow
ing, as the purpose Of the work b
comes known Discussion OF the Il
iniry that the commission is maxim