The Democratic advocate., 1909-03-12
COUNTRY LIFE COMMISSION.

COUNTRY LIFE COMMISSION.
President Roosevelt recently trans
mitted TO congress the voluminous re-
port of the country life commission
(which he appointed about year ago
ITO; investigate into agricultural condi-
ltions and life over the country and re-
pprt to him and make recommenda-
Ittons which they thought would be In
lHfumental In improving conditions.
Me commission consisted of four men
i0f exceptional qualifications both In
lhreadth of view and keen insight into
the agricultural needs and problems
lof the country. Their report to the
pIesident consisted of a digest of the
ldRta and evidence secured at thirty
ip1bllc hearings held at different points
and attended by the farmers and farm
lers, wlYes of forty different states and
territories aud from 10000 answers
jto, printed questions, which were very
generally distributed. In the execu-
tive letter. of transmlssal TO congress,
(which. Is really an admirable digest of
the. committees report, It Is pointed
IQNt that the general level Of country
lHe is high and compares fayorabiy
IYlth that of any previous era In the
history of the country. Yet, notwIth-
lstanding this condition, farming does
mot yield the financial returns II ought
ItQ:gjYe. Added to this, there is much
nIEcontent, and even encouragement.
PThree. ways are suggested which, IL is
Thought, will help to improve this con-
dlfion--namely, better type OF farm
Vng. better business methods and n
better. type Of living on the farm.
With a view to realizing these ends
the president makes the following rec.
Computations
"First:- Effective cooperation among
farmers, to put them on level with
the organized interests with which
they do business
"Second.-A new kind OF schools fl
Ithe country, which shall teach the
lchildren as much outdoors as Indoors
and perhaps more, so that they will
prepare for country life and not, az
lat'present, mainly for life In town.
"Third.--Better means OF communica.
ltion, Including good roads and n par
GELS post, which the country people
iare everywhere, and rightly, unani
NOUS In demanding"
The federal department of agricul-
iture, state experiment stations. the
agricultural press and other agencies
are recognized as agencies which are
doing an excellent service In fayoriny
% better type OF agriculture. which.
lrealized. would mean doubling of
crop yields in many sections OF III,
country. The president asserts thai
rightly viewed and carried on. agrIrrl
.ture should be one OF the most digni
Ned, desirable and sought after ways
of earning livelihood. In bringing
this condition of things 10 pass EN-.
Dhasis is placed on the need Of orgnnl-
zation and cooperation for business
and social reasons. The religious need
rs also recognized and an important
place given The country church In tliis
connection, while an especial tribute ~
paid the home as the most powerful
factor In the development Of charnc.
ter and personality, the presence or
lack Of which tends TO make life rich
or poor, AT the close ~ Ills MESSAGE
the president emphasizes the fact that
Fhe permanency Of our civilization de.
pends upon the wholesomencss, atlrac.
tiveness and completeness as well as
Ahe prosperity of country life. An APP
Oropriation Of $25.0fo is recommended
IN order that the commission may be
able to digest she material II has col.
aected. and 20 collect and digest other
valuable, data which are within easy
reach. While this Is but beginning.
the work of the country life commits.
sion is bound TO result I'm untold bene.
At.