The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-09-17
FARMERS COMMEND
The ROOSEVELT PLAN
Letters in Quantities Reach the
President-Wallace Is
Enthusiastic.

Washington, Sept. 12-Whateyer may
be said of President Rooseveit's COM
mission plan for the uplift of the farm
er n the betterment of conditions of
farm life, 1t cannot be disputed that 1t
has aroused attention. Even the move
ment for the conservation OF natural
has not stirred up the inter-
est n discussion that the movement
for the benef1t of farm life has, 1T
Is not merely being widely discussed
by the press. President Roosevelt Is
getting large numbers of letters relat-
Ing to his plan and most of such let
tiers come from farmers themselves,
who are seemingly awake to the inn
portance of the project. These letters
are being sent to Washington by Mr..
Roosevelt to Clifford Pinchot. who is
one of the commission, and they will
be presented to the entire. commission
when 1t holds it's first meeting, as II
VIII do at an early date.
Generally, the letters express warm
approval Of the commission idea and
many OF them make valuable sugges-
tons as to how farm conditions can be
improved upon. Through most OF the
letters there runs a note of longing for
better schools n better opportunities
for neighbors to meet together. en-
P~oS - NAoSeCSASiy AhNcA lOSIdICo aLA0
h like. Better opportunities for read
Ing are also urged as needful in many
Instances. The idea of cooperation Is
put prominently to the front and many
OF the letters speak out plainly against
the middlemen. 1t ia plainly felt that
h farmer is being mulcted of undue
sums by the elevator men, the stock
dealers, the creameries and the retail
ers. Many suggestions of cooperative
companies in communities for the pur-
pose Of buying and selling to advantage
hre made. a#sa
The consolidation Of rural schools, SO
as to do away with the district school,
and have township high schools, meets
with much favor. The Importance Of
good roads is dwelt upon more thar
any other n subject. Good roads are
urged in connection with the consolida-
ton Of schools, the township library,
h extension Of the advantages Of
rural free delivery n other steps for
the improvement of conditions In the
agricultural sections. 1t seems to be
h idea Of many who write to the
president that II the people OF a town
ship or neighborhood could have a
library where they could obtain books
and where also they could meet toscon-
slider any matters of interest to them,
as we'll as having lectures and enter
tainments. much Zest would be added to
lllc III IIIc average COMMUNITY 10
make 1t possible for the people of a
neighb0rhood to gather frequently and
readily, good roads are essential.
In one case a hired man writes at
length. He does not paint a glowing
picture Of the life Of the hired hand.
He tells what his experience for years
has been and says he has found the
eight-hour day Is In force on the farm,
eight-hours before noon and eight
hours after loon. This writer Is plainly
of the opinion there is room for inn
provement.
Wallace Gives Approval. 9.
An earnest letter has been received
by the president from Henry Wallace,
Iof Des Moines, who Is one Of the mem-
bers Of the commission. Mr.. Wallace
says: II am glad to accept the APP
pointment which mas come to me so
unexpectedly, and to give the best ser
vice which time n strength will per-
init. I am exceedingly glad that you
have put yourself behind this move.
ment for the betterment of the social
and industrial life of the farming COM
immunity. There are sections in some
portions Of the Western states In which
the farmers life is almost ideal; but
there are other sections, notably in the,
South, in the extreme West and in
much of the territory in the Eastern
states, in which there is very great
need Of improvement. OF course help
must come from the farmers them
brought 1t before the people in this
public way will do very much to slim
ulate farmers to improve their condI-
ton. l am grateful to you for the OPP
~portuntty to aid in pushing forward
this movement" B.