The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1909-02-09

experiment stations, the Farmers un-
ion, the grange, the agricultural press
and other similar agencies have all
combined to place within the reach
Of the American farmer an amount
and quality Of agricultural informa-
ton 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 ]
believe it ultimately VIII be-one of
the most dignified, desirable and sought
after ways Of earning 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 for
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-
culture, 1t is not within the sphere of
any government to reorganize the
farmers business or reconstruct the
social life Of farming communities.
1t is, however, quite within it's power
to use its influence and the machinery
of publicity which it can control for
calling public attention to the needs
and the facts. For example, it is the
obvious duty of the government to call
the attention of farmers to the grow
ing monopolization Of water power.
The farmers, above all, 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. -
Farmers Own Work Needed.
It would be idle to assert that life
on the farm occupies as good posi-
ton in dignity, desirability and bust
ness results as the farmers might
easily give it if they chose. One Of
the chief difficulties is the failure Of
country life as it exists at present to
satisfy the higher social and intellec-
tual aspirations Of country people.
Whether the constant draining away
Of so much of the best elements in the
rural population into the towns is due
chiefly to this cause or to the superior
business opportunities Of city life may
be open to question. But no one at
all familiar with farm life throughout
the United States can fail to recognize
the necessity for building up the life
of the farm upon its social as we'll as
upon it's productive side. y
It is true that country life has i'm
proved greatly in attractiveness, health
and comfort and that the farmers
earnings are higher than they were.
But city life is advancing even more
rapidly because Of the greater atten-
ton which is being given. by the citi-
zens of the towns to their own better
ment. For just this reason the intro
duction of effective agricultural CO.
operation throughout the United States
Is of the first Importance. Where
farmers are organized comparatively
they not only avail themselves much
more readily of business opportunities
md 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 in
tellectual advancement.
The cooperative plan is the best
plan of organization wherever men
have the right spirit to carry it out.
Under this plan any business under
taking is managed by committee.
Every man has one vote and only one
vote, and every one gets profits ac-
cording to what he sells or buys or
supplies. 1t develops individual re-
sponsibility and has a moral as well
as financial value over any other
plan.
Farmers Problems the Whole country's
desire only to take counsel with
the farmers as fellow; citizens. It is
not the problem of the farmers alone
that am discussing with them, but
q problem which affects every city as
we'll as every farm in the country. 1t
Is a problem which the working farm
ers will have to solve for themselves,
but it is problem which also affects
In only less degree all the rest of us,
md therefore if we can render any
help toward it's solution it is not only
our duty but our interest to do so.
The foregoing will, I hope, make it
clear why appointed commission to
consider problems Of farm life which
have hitherto had far too little atten-
ton and the neglect Of which has not
only held back life in the country, but
also lowered the efficiency of the whole
nation. The welfare Of the farmer is
OF vital consequence to the welfare Of
The whole community. The strength.
ening Of country life, therefore, is the
strengthening of the whole nation.
The commission has tried to help the
farmers to see clearly their own prob
lem and to see it as a whole, to distin-
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