The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1909-02-13

Il necessary under modern economic
conditions 20 organize themselves for
mutual advantage and for the profec-
ton OF their own particular interests
IN relation 10 other interests. The
farmers Of every progressive Euro
pean country have realized this essen
tial fact and have found in the CO
operative system exactly the form OF
business combination they need
Now, whatever the state may do to-
ward improving the practice OF agri-
culture. II Is not within the sphere Of
any government 10 reorganize the
farmers business or reconstruct the
social life OF farming communities.
IL Is. however, quite within its power
10 use It's influence and the machinery
OF publicity which 1t can control for
calling public attention 10 the needs
and the facts. For example. II - the
obvious duty Of the government 20 call
the attention Of farmers 20 the grow.
ing monopolization OF water power.
The farmers. above all. should have
that power. on reasonable terms. for
cheap transportation. for lighting their
homes and for innumerable uses I'm
the daily tasks on the farm.
Farmers Own Work Needed.
IL would be idle 20 assert that life
on the farm occupies as good a posi-
ton In dignity. desirability and bust
ness results rs the farmers might
easily give Il II they chose One OF
the chief difficulties is the failure OF
country life as Il exists at present 20
satisfy the higher social and intellec-
tual aspirations OF country people.
Whether the constant draining away
of so much OF the best elements In the
rural population into the towns Is due
chiefly 10 this cause or TO the superior
business opportunities OF city life may
be open to question. But no one at
all familiar with farm life throughout
the United States can fail to recognize
the necessity for building up the life
OF the farm upon its social as well as
upon it's productive side.
II is true that country life has I'm
proved greatly in attractiveness. health
and comfort and that the farmers
earnings are higher than they were.
But city life Is advancing even more
rapidly because OF the greater atten-
ton which is being given by the citi-
zens OF the towns 10 their own better
ment. For Just this reason the intro
duction OF effective agricultural CO
operation throughout the United States
is Of the first Importance. Where
farmers are organized comparatively
they not only avail themselves much
more readily of business opportunities
and improved methods, but II is found
that the organizations which bring
them together I'm the work OF their
lives are used also for social and in
tellectual advancement.
The cooperative plan is the best
plan OF organization wherever men
have the right spirit TO carry II out.
Under this plan any business under
taking is managed by committee.
Every man has one vote aud only one
vote, and every one gets profits ac-
cording 20 what he sells or buys or
supplies. IL develops Individual re-
sponsibility and has n moral as well
as financial value over any other
plan.
Farmers Problems the Whole country's
| desire only 10 take counsel with
the farmers as fellow citizens. 7t Is
not the problem OF the farmers alone
that ] am discussing with them. but
a problem which affects every city as
well as every farm In the country. IL
is n problem which the working farm
ers will have 20 solve for themselves.
but Il is a problem which also affects
I'm only less degree all the rest OF us,
and therefore n we can render any
help toward It's solution II Is not only
our duty but our interest TO do so.
The foregoing win, hope. make it
clear why appointed O commission TO
consider problems OF farm life which
have hitherto had far too little atten-
ton and the neglect Of which has not
only held back life IN the country, but
also lowered the efficiency 81 the whole
nation. The welfar, or the farmer f.
OF vital consequence 90 the welfare OF
the whole community. The strength
ening Of country life. therefore is the
strengthenlnv " the whole nation.
The commission has tried Ia help the
farmers TO see clearly their own prob
lem and 10 see Il as whole. to dlstin-
guish clearly between what the gov
eminent can do and what the farmers
must do for themselves. and II wishes
TO bring not only the farmers. but the
nation as n whole. 10 realize that the |
growing OF crops, though an essential
part. Is only part OF country life. |
Crop growing Is the essential founda-
ton. but Il is no less essential that the |
farmer should get an adequate return
for what he grows, and II is no less |
essential-indced. II IL literally vital
that he and his wife and his children |
shall lead the right kind OF life.
For this reason It Is Of the first I'm
portance that the United States depart. |
ment Of agriculture, through which as |
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