The Delta independent., 1909-03-12

Clifford Pinct OF, United States For
ester. after expressing his regret at
being unable to attend the congress,
added some expressions OF opinion IN
regard to the American farmer. irriga-
ton, or otherwise. Mr.. Pinchot has
for SO long been believed, by certain
elements in the West, to know nothing
about anything but forestry-and, ac-
cording to Field and Farm. Judge d.
C. Beaman and others. not much about
that-that it will come as surprise to
read what he has to say in regard to
the farmers of the country. His letter
to Judge Goudy follows:
Hon. Frank C. Goudy. President, Six
teenth National Irrigation Congress,
Albuquerque, N Mex.
MY DEAR JUDGE GoUDY: As / have
already written you, l regret more
than can easily say that l cannot be
with you at Albuquerque this year.
For a number Of years past have at
tended every sessian of the National
Irrigation Congress, and at the more
recent ones have been honored as the
bearer of a message from the Presi-
dent. whose interest in irrigation never
flags. This fall, under his orders, am
irving to do certain work on the Ma
tional Conservation, and the Commits
sion on Country Life, and that Is why
am unable 10 come.
Ever since | came to have first-hand
knowledge of irrigation, / have been
impressed with the peculiar advantages
which surround the irrigation raneher.
The high productiveness of irrigated
land. resulting in smaller farm units
and denser settlement, as well as the
efficiency and alertness of the irrigator,
have combined to give the irrigated
regions very high rank among the most
progressive farming communities OF
the world. Such rural communities as
those of the irrigated west are useful
examples for the consideration OF re-
gions in which life is more isolated,
has Iess of the benefits Of cooperation,
and generally has lacked the stimulus
which has sent the men whom this con-
gress represents 20 far along on the
road to the ideal country life 1t 10 for
this reason that venture to send you
the following considerations bearing
on the work of the Presidents Com
mission on Country Life-because you
have gone SO far on the road he wants
others to follow.
The object of education in general is
to produce in the boy or girl. and so in
the man or woman. three results.
First, a sound. useful. and usable body !;
second, flexible. well-equipped, and
well-organized mind; alert to gain in
terest and assistance from contact
with nature and cooperation with 9TH
er minds: and third. wise and true
and valiant spirit, able to gather to
itself the higher things that best make
life worth while. The use and growth
of these three things, body, mind. and
spirit, must all be found in any effec-
tive system of education.
The same three-fold activity is
equally necessary in a group Of indi-
viduals. Take, for example, the mer-
chants Of 4 town, who have established
a Chamber of Commerce or Board Of
Trade. They have three objects: First.
sound and profitable business; second.
organised cooperation with each other
to their mutual advantage, rs in set
ting disputes, securing satisfactory
rates from railroads, and inducing new
industries to settle among them; and
third, to make their town more beauti-
full, more healthful. and generally a
better place to live in. Take q labor
union as another example. and you will
find the same three-fold purpose. A
good union admits only good workmen
to membership in its sound body; the
members get from the union the ad-
vantages of organized cooperation in
selling their labor to the best advan-
tage; and in addition. they enjoy GER
tain social advantages often of over
whelming Importance.
The practical value of organization
and cooperation is obvious, and they
are being utilized very widely in nearly
every branch of our national life. But
what is the case with the farmer? The
farmers are the only great body Of our
people who remain for the most part
substantially organized. The mer.
chants are organized, the wage-work-
ers are organized, the railroads are
organized. The men with whom the
farmer competes are organized to get
the best results for themselves in Their
dealings with him. The farmer Is en-.
gagged, usually without the assist tancs
of organization, in competing with
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