The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-02-09

AZ lie ASSA4ASC sAA@SA ~N0s~~~ -
sentatives:
transmit herewith the report of the
commission on country life. At the
outset desire to point out that not
a dollar Of the public money has been
paid to any Commissioners for his work
on the commission.
The report shows the general condi-
ton OF farming life in the open coun-
try and points out its larger problems.
It indicates ways In which the govern
ment, national and state, may show
the people how to solve some of these
problems, and 1t suggests continu-
ance Of the work which the commits
sion began.
Methods 1of the Commission.
Judging by thirty public hearings, to
which farmers aud farmers wives
from forty states and territories came,
and from 10000 answers to printed
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 1t has
in recent years slipped down in some
places, 1t has risen in more places.
It's progress has been general, If not
uniform.
Yet farming does not yield either the
profit or the satisfaction that it ought
to yield and may be made to yield.
There is discomfort in the country and
in places encouragement. Farmers as
class do not magnify their calling,
and the movement to the towns,
though, 1 am happy to say, less than
formerly. Is still strong.
How Farmers Can Help Themselves.
Under our system 1t 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 bust
ness and better living ON the farm.
The national department OF agricul-
ture, which has rendered services
equaled by no other similar depart
ment in any other time or place; the
state departments Of agriculture, the
state colleges OF agriculture and the
mechanic arts, especially through their
experiment stations, the Farmers un-
and other similar agencies have all
combined to place within the reach
Of the American farmer IN amount
and quality Of agricultural informa-
ton which II 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 fanmer raise better crops, but to
call his attention to the opportunities
for better business and better living
on the farm. II country life is to be-
come what it should be and what
believe It ultimately will be-one Of
the most dignihed, desirable and sought
after ways Of earning q 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 continue to
raise the standards Of living and OF
intelligence in other callings.
Those engaged In all other industrial
and commercial callings have found
it necessary under modern economic
conditions to organize themselves fol
mutual advantage and for the protec.
ton of their own particular interests
In relation to other interests. The
farmers Of every progressive Euro.
pean country have realized this essen.
tial fact and have found In the CO
operative system exactly the form Of
business combination they need.
Now, whatever the state may do to
ward improving the practice Of agri
any government to reorganize the
farmers business or reconstruct the
social life Of farming communities
1t is, however, quite within its power
to use its influence and the machinery
Of publicity which 1t can control fol
calling public attention to the needs
and the facts. For example. 1t Is the
obvious duty Of the government to cal
the attention OF farmers to the grow.
ing monopolixation Of water power
The farmers. above all, should have
that power, on reasonable terms, fol
cheap transportation, for lighting their
homes and for innumerable uses IN
the daily tasks on the farm.
Farmers Own Work Needed.
It would be idle to assert that life
on the farm occupies rs good posi-
tion in dignity, desirability and bust.
ness results M the farmers might
easily give 1t II they chose. One Of
the chief difficulties IL the failure Of
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