The San Francisco call., 1908-11-30

4 postal savings bank
limited parcels post.
Freedom from railroad domination
These are the most important recon-
,nendations that viii be made to Presi-
dent Roosevelt by his commission on
countrv life. now touring the United
STATES to ascertain the true state OF
snafrs in rural districts, and to hear the
,-iav-s Of the people themselves.
Tn california the farmers have blamed
the Southern Pacific for the haroships
tbey have experienced, ano members u
the commission have stated ihat IL ep-
reared that the railroad dominated the
state
The members Of the commission VINO
bave been visiting san Francisco VIII
proceed to Sacramento TODAY. Ahey Mlii
comnlete their tour of the United states
December "a. when their report viii DS
submitted to the president ana Wlh
he made the subject OF a speclal mes
sage to congress.
Henry Wallace Of iowa; DR.. J.. II.
Psilev of New York; Or. Kenyon But
+ terfeld of Massachusetts. and MT.
Baird Of Sacramento, the members OF
the commission who have visited Cali
fornia and other western states, eN-
pressed themselves yesterday as being
well satisfied with the interest beng
taken in the work by the farmers and
3 ranchers. who win derive the greatest
benefits from the movement TO benefit
the tillers of the soil
FARMERS STATE WISHES
The commissioners stated that the
farmers were taking advantage of the
opportunity afforded them TO have their
recommendation presented directly to
the attention of the president, and are
hopeful Of seeing beneficial results.
while we are not at liberty yet to
make known what recommendation
VIII be contained IN the commissions
report 10 the president said Wallace
yesterday. 7 will say that wherever
we have gone tho people seem 10 be
united on four different matters, name
j.. A demand for better roads; better
educational facilities in the rural
Schools; q postal Savings bank; and 4
lifnited parcels post. OF course there
arc many other improvements sug-
gested by these people, but the ones i
have named seem 10 have unanimous
support
sour commission, which was ap-
pointed by the president, and is entire
]y Independent Of congress, is endeav-
orsng TO ascertain at first hand what
conditions really exist in the rural die
tricts Of the United States IN many
states. we have found discooraging
conditions owing 10 the limited extent
10 which the poor people till what soil.
they lease
As we came west VIC found that the.
railroads have been responsible for
many Of the farmers harGships. Espe-
cially is this true in California where
the Southern Pacific railroad seems to
Dominate everything. and to demand
freight rates which render farming in
some sections a foolish undertaking.
COSTS NATION NOTHING
Our report will be submitted to the
president very soon after our return TO
Washington zon December Is. and the
chief executive viii then send a special
message 10 congress urging legislation
along the lines demanded by the farm
ers 7 do rot think there>is q doubt
that, the work viii bring results.
president Roosevelt has decided to
make the commission on country life
permsnen ahstitution, and in this wa !,
tho CHIEF executive will aIwavs hessf,
direct touch with the people Of the
rural districts. The commissioners
serve without compensation, and their
expenses are betrayed by private indf-
Nldnals, so that the body is Of no ex-
pense 10 the nation; and yet I believe
Ills long felt want
me commission VIII hold two hear
lngs al Sacramento today. and then
leave for. Nevada later going 10 Ore
gon, Washington. Montana. Utah. colo
l@oo, middle western states and New
York anu nc"
Henry Wallace yesterday morning oe-
capied the pulpit of Rev Dr.. DiIle of
''.s @si't tr3l methodist Episcopal church.