Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-02-09
Its Report Transmitted to Con-
greSS by President Who Makes
lust One Recommendation.
APPROPRIATION OF $4,000.
That Material Collected Nav be Di-
gested--Has Not Cost Gov
eminent a Cent.

Washington. Feb. s.--The president
today transmitted to Congress the re-
port Of the commission on country life.
His message U.s. in part. as follows;
To the Senate and House Of Represen-
tatiyes.
] transmit herewith the report Of the
commission on country life. At the out
set / desire 10 point out that not a
dollar of the public money has been
paid To- any commissioner for his work
on the commission.
The report shows the general condi-
tion OF farming life I'm the open coun-
Try. and points out It's larger problems.
il indicates ways IN which the govern
ment national and state may show the
people how 20 solve some of these
problems. and 20 suggests a continuance
OF the work which the commission be-
gan.
THE HEARINGS.
Judging by 80 public hearings. to
which farmers and farmers wives from
forty states and territories came, and
from 10000 answers TO printed ques-
tons sent out by the department OF
agriculture the commission finds that
the general level OF country life is high
compared with any preceding time or
with any other land. II it has In re-
cent years slipped down In some places,
it has risen in more places. Its pro-
gress has been general, II not uniform.
Yet farming does not yield either the
profit or the satisfaction that II ought
20 yield and may be made % yield.
There rs discomfort In the country, and
In places discouragement. Farmers as
a class do not magnify their ealing,
and the movement 10 the towns, though
] am happy TO say less than formerly,
is sin strong.
OBJECT OF COMMISSION.
The object Of the commission on coun-
try life therefore Is not 10 help the
farmer raise better crops. but 10 call
his attention 20 the opportunities for
better business and better living ON the
farm. ~ country life is 10 become what
IL should be, and what ] believe it ulti-
mately VIII be-Ono Of the most diRni-
fed. desirable. and sought-aftor ways
OF earning a living-thc farmer must
take advantage not only Of the aEricul-
tural knowledge which "a at his dispos-
al. but of the methods which have
raised and continue 10 raise the stand
ards Of living and Of Intelligence la
other caliugs.
Now whatever the state may do to-
ward improving the practice Of agri-
culture, IL Is not within the sphere
OF any government 90 reorEanize the
farmers business or reconstruct the
social life OF farming communities. 10
is, however quite within It's power
20 use its influence and the machinery
Of publicity which IL can control for
calling public attention to the needs
and the facts. For example. 10 ls the
Obvious duty OF the government 20 call
the attention OF farmers TO- the grow
Ing mouGpolizati0n Of water power.
The farmers above an should have
that power. on reasonable terms. for
cheap transportation. for lighting their
homes. and for innumerable uses in
the daily tasks on the farm.
WHY APPOINTED
The foregoing win. hope make 90
clear why J appointed "a commission 90
consider problems OF farm ufc which
have hitherto had Tar too little atten-
tion and the neglect OF which has not
only held back life in the country but
also lowered the efficiency OF tho whole
nation. Tho welfare of tho farmer Dol
of vital consequence to me welfare OF
the whole community Tho strength
oning OF country NE. therefore IN the
strengthening OF tho whole nation.
From all that has been done and
learned three great general and inl-
mediate needs N the country life stand
out.
THREE GREATEST NEEDS.
First effective corporation among
farmers. to put them on bowel with
the organized Interests with which
they 90 business.
Second "a new kind of schools iu the
country. which shall teach the children
az much outdoors as indoors and per
hapr more. so that they am prepare
Tor country life. and not as at present
mainly Tor life Boo town.
Third. better means of c1mmuuioa-
ti0n. including good r1ads and "a par
cela post. which the country people are
everywhere. and rightly unanimous in
demanding.
10 these may wen be added better
sa8itafion. for easily preycntahic dis
eases hold several million country peo-
pie ln the slavery of continuous an
health
ONLY REcOMAIENDATloN
The only recommendation 4 submit ID
that an AUGMENTATION of 10000 d. urO.