Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-02-10
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
CONTINUED from Page One.)

and the movement to the towns
though, I am happy to say. less than
formerly, is still strong.
Under our system, it is helpful to
promote discussion of ways in which
the people can help themselves. There
are three main directions IN which the
farmers can help themselves; namely,
better farming, better business, and
better living on the farm. The Ma
tional Department of Agriculture
which has rendered services equaled
by no other similar department in any
other time or place; the state depart
ments of agriculture; the state col
leges of agriculture and the mechanic
arts, especially through their extern
sion work; the state agricultural ex-
pertinent stations; the Farmers Tn
ION; the Grange; the agricultur-
al press and other similar agen-
cies; have all combined to place
within the reach Of the American far
mer an amount and quality of agri-
cultural information which, if applied.
would enable him, over large areas, to
double the production of the farm.
The object of the Commission on
Country Life therefore is not to help
the farmer raise better crops, but to
call his attention to the opportunities
for better business and better living
on the farm. If country life is to be-
come what it should be, and what l
believe it ultimately will be-one of
the most dign;fied, desirable, and
sought after ways of earning a living
the farmer must take advantage not
only of the agricultural knowledge
which is at his disposal, but of the
methods which have raised and con-
tinue to raise the standards of living
and of intelligence in other callipgs.
Those engaged in all other indus
trial and commercial callings have
found it necessary, under modern eco
nomic conditions, to organize them
selves for mutual advantage and for
the protection of their own particular
interests in relation to other interests
The farmers OF every progressive Eu-
ropean country have realized this es-
sentiai fact and have found in the CO.
operative system exactly the form OF
business they need.
Now whatever the State may d.
toward improving the practice of aS-
riculture it is not within the sphere y.
any government to reorganize the far
mers' business or reconstruct the So
cial life of farming communities. 1,
is, however, quite within it's power to
use its influence and the machinery OF
publicity which it can control for call
ing public attention to the needs anG
the facts. For example, it is the obvi-
GUS duty of the Government to call the
attention of farmers to the growing
monopoliZation of water power. The
farmers above all should have that
power on reasonable terms, for chear
transportation, for lighting their
homes, and fer innumerable uses in
the daily tasks on the farm.
1t would be idle to assert that life OF
tine farm occupies as good position
in dignity, desirability, and business
results as the farmers might easily
give it if they chose One OF the chic:
difficulties is the failure Of country
life, as it exists at present, to satisfy
the higher social and intellectual as
pirations of country people. Whether
the constant draining away of sc
much of the best elements IN the rural
population into the towns is due chief
ly to this cause or to the superior bust
ness opportunities Of city life may be
open 10 question. But no one at ali
familiar with farm life throughout the
United States can fail to recognize The
necessity for building up the life o;
the form upon it's social as well as up
On its productive side.
1t is true that country life has i'm
proved greatly in attractiveness
health. and comfort, and that the far
mer's earnings are higher than they
We're. But city life is advancing even
more rapidly, because of the greater
attention which is being given by til.
citizens of the towns to their own bet
terment. For just this reason the in
PRODUCTION of effective agricultural Gu
operation throughout the United
States is Of the first Importance
lively they not only avail themselves
much more readily CT business oppor-
tunities and improved methods, but it
is found that the organizations which
bring them together in the work OF
their lives are used also for social and
intellectual advancement.
Thee cooperative plan Is the best
plan Of organization wherever men
have the right spirit to carry it out
Under this Elan any business under
taking is managed by committee;
every man has one vote and only one
vote; and everyone gets profits accord
ing to what he sells or buys or sup
plies. 1t develops individual respon
Sibility and has a moral as well as &
financial value over any other plan.
l desire only to take counsel with
the farmers as fellow citizens. 1t 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. 1t
is problem which the working farm
ers viii have to solve for themselves;
lut it is a problem which also affects
in only less degree all the rest Of us
and therefore if we can render any
help toward its solution, it is not only
our duty but our interest to do so.
The foregoing will. I hope, make it
clear Why I appointed a commission to
consider problems of farm life which
have hitherto had far too little atten-
ton. and the neglect of which has not
only neld back life in the country, but
also lowered the efficiency OF the whole