Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-04-21
COUNTRY LIFE.
Report of Commission Appointed by
President Roosevelt.

life appointed by President ROOSEVELT, re
Gently made, describes with some fullness
the existing conditions of farm life and
points out tile causes that may have LED
to its present lack of organization. 1t sug-
gests methods for the redirection OF rural
society, for arresting the drift to the city,
for maintaining the natural rights OF the
farmer and for the development OF an or
ganized rural life that will promote the
prosperity of the whole nation.
Broadly speaking, agriculture in the
United States is prosperous and the con-
ditions in many of the great farming re-
gions are improving. Country homes gem
orally are improving in comfort, attract
lions, organizations and movements are
actively contributing to the increasing
welfare of the open country.
There has never been time when the
American farmer was as well off as he is
to-day, when not only his earning power
but the comforts and advantages he may
secure are considered. There has been a
complete and fundamental change in our
whole economic system within the past
century.
Yet it is true, Notwithstanding all this
progress as measured by historical stand
ards, that agriculture is not commercially
as profitable as il is entitled to 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 a
knowledge on the part of the farmers of
the exact agricultural conditions and
posi- bilities of their regions, resulting 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 facilities and in organiza-
tion for buying and selling.
There is an absence of any adequate
system of agricultural credit, shortage
of labor, often complicated by intemper-
ance among workmen; lack OF institu-
tions and incentives that tie the laboring
man to the soil; the life of the farm
woman is burdensome and narrow; there
is need of adequate supervision of public
health.
The farmer is handicapped by the spec
ulative holding of lands, monopolistic
control of streams and forests, waste of
our natural resources, and by restraint of
trade.
Some of the remedies for the conditions
get forth lie with the national government,
some Of them with the states and commu-
mites in their corporate capacities, some
with voluntary organizations, and some
with individuals acting alone.
All organized forces, both in town and
country should understand that there are
country, phases as well as city phases of
our civilization, and that one needs help
rs much as the other. All these agencies
should realize their responsibility to
society. Many existing organizations
and institutions might become practi-
cally cooperative or mutual in spirit,
ms for example, all agricultural societies,
libraries, Young Mems Christian associ-
ations and churches. All the organiza-
fions standing for rnral progress should
be fedrated in states and nation.
There are several great forces or princi-
piles which must be utilized in the en-
deavor to solve the country life question.
There must be vast enlargement of
voluntary, organized effort among farmers
themselves. 1t is indispensable that
farmers shall work together for their COM
mon interests and for the national vel
fare. II they do not do this, no govern
nent activity, no legislation, not even
better schools, will greatly avail. The
forces and institutions that make for
morality and spiritual ideals among rural
people must be energized.
There must be not only fuller scheme
Of public education, but new kind of ed.
ucation adapted to the real needs of the
farming people. The country schools are
to be SO redirected that they shall educate
their pupils in terms Of the daily life. OPP
portunities for training toward the agri-
cultural cailings are to be multiplied and
made broadly effective. This means re-
doubled efforts for better country schools
and vastly increased interest in the well
fare Of country boys and girls on the part
Of those who pay the school taxes. Edu-
cation by means OF agriculture is to be a
part OF our regular public school work.
Special agricultural schools are to be or
gained.
The country people everywhere are ask
ing for good roads. Everywhere, too, they
want parcels post and the extension of
the rural free delivery.
The commission has purposely avoided
endorsing any particular bill now before
Congress-, no matter what its value or
object. Inthe opinion of the commission,
however, there are two or three move
ments Of the utmost consequence that
should be set under way at the earliest
possible time because they are funda-
mental to the whole problem OF perma-
nent reconstruction. There should be
organized, under government leadership,
comprehensive plan for an exhaustive
study or survey of all the conditions that
surround the business of farming and the