Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-02-10

to the city, for maintaining the nat
ural rights of the farmer and for the
of an organized rural life
that will promote the prosperity of the
whole nation.
Broadly speaking, agriculture in the
United States is prosperous and the
conditions in many of the great farm
ing regions are improving. Country
homes generally are improving In conf
fort attractiveness, and healthfulness
Many institutions, organizations. and
movements are actively contributing
to the increasing welfare OF the open
country.
There has never been a time When
the American farmer was as well OIL
as he is today, when not only his earn
ing power but the comforts and adj
vantages he may secure are consider
ed There has been complete ana
fundamental change in our whole eco
nomic system within the past century.
Yet it is true, notwithstanding all
this progress as measured by historic
standards, that agriculture Is not COM
mercially as profitable as it is entitled
70 be for the labor and energy that the
farmer eXpends and the risks that he
assumes, and that the social conditions
in the open country are far short OF
their possibilities.
Rural society is lacking chiefly in
knowledge on the part of the farmers
of the exact agricultural conditions
and possibilities of their regions, re-
sulting in the widespread depletion of
soils with the injurious effect on rural
life; in proper training for country life
in the schools; in good highway facil-
tiles, and in organization for buying
and selling.
There is an absence of any adequate
system of agricultural credit, short
age of labor, often complicated by In
temperance among workmen; a lack
IF institutions ard incentives that tie
the laboring man to the soil; the life
Of the farm woman is burdensome and
narrow: there is need OF adequate SUI
pervsion Of public health.
The farmer is handicapped by the
speculative holding of lands, monopOl
istic control of streams and forests,
waste of our natural resources, and by
restraint of trade.
Some of the remedies for the con-
dtioEs set forth lie with the national
government, some of them with the
states and communities in their cor
porate capacities, some with volunta
ry organizations, and some with indi-
viduals acting alone.
All organized forces both in town
and country should understand that
there are country phases as we'll as
city phases of our civilization, and
that one phase needs help as much as
the other. All these agencies should
realize their responsibility to society.
Many existing organizations and insti
tutions might become practically coop
alive or mutual in spirit. as for exam
pie, all agricultural societies, libraries,
Young Mems Christian Association.
and churches. All the organizations
standing for rural progress should be
federated in states and nation.
There are several great forces, or
principles, which must be utilized in
the endeavor to solve the country life
question.
There niust he vast enlarge
ment of voluntary, organized effort
among farmers themselves 1t is
Indispensable that farmers shall
work together for their commor
interests, and for the national
welfare. If they do not do this, n,
governmental activity, no legislation
not even better schools, will great.
avail The forces and institutions tina
make for morality and spiritual ideal.
among rural people must be energized
There must be not only fullel
scheme of public education, but a new
kind of education adapted to the real
needs Of the farming people. TIL,
country schools are to be so redirecteC
that they shall educate their pupils in
terms Of the daily life. Opportunities
for training toward the agricultural
callirgs are to be multiplied and mad
broadly effective. This means redou
hled efforts for better country schools
and a vastly increased interest in til,
welfare of country boys and girls u.
the part of those who pay the schoui
taxes. Education by means of agri-
culture is to he a part or our regula.
public school work. Special agricul
tura! schools are to be organized
The country people everywhere arr
asking for good roads. Everywhere
too they want parcels post and the
extention of the rural free delivery.
The Commission has purposely avoid
ed endorsing any particular bill now
before Congress, no matter what its
value or object. In the opinion of the
Commission, however, there are tive
cr three movements of the utmost con-
sequence that should be set under way
at the earliest possible time because
they are fundamental to the whole
problem of permanent reconstruction
There should be organized under gov
eminent leadership comprehensive
plan for an exhaustive study or survey
Of all the conditions that surround the
business Of farming and the people
who live in the country, in order to
take stock Of our resources and TO sup
ply the farmer with knowledge.
Each state college of agriculture
should organize as soon as practicable.
a complete department of college ex
tention. Local, state ana even nation
al conferences on rural progress, de-
signed to unite the interests Of educa-
zion. organization, and religion, should
be held.
There is need for young people Of
quality, energy, capacity, aspiration.
and conviction, who will live in the