The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-02-17
By FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

with her scheme except working I'd the
sentiment OF the community in its favor. -
This. she adds. is a really hard thing 10
From SIN farther West another woman
writes: Coming from half OF life I'm
town 10 farm living and from much OBJ
servatiOn in several States as resident. I
submit the following suggestions. First.
government loans on farm lands II 3
per cent; second. special bulletins sent
broadcast upon farm landscape. for
beauty and comfort as well as profit:
third. schooihouses made also town halls.
libraries. convention and amusement
places; fourth. cooperative bakery. laun-
dry, and creamery in every township.
From the South, where the public school
system is Yet far from efficient IN rural
places. where there is yet an insufficient
number Of buildings. and where there are
no compulsory education laws 70 force at
tendance on these schools. came another
letter. Il offered no suggestions II
cnly stated the pathetic condition OF
affairs existing IN that particular com
nunity- i came 10 this beautiful coun-
Try 70 make my home for half the year"
she writes, taking up farming. So 7 nave
some idea Of the conditions that prevail
mere LIE here for the average farmer
IS deplorable, and a more intricate prob
lem viii never he solved. Although so
near centers OF learning and culture. ig-
norance prevails. Children have grown
up Indifferent 20 education and the REIN
ing influences OF life The local schools
are poor and only 4 few Of the better
class are able 10 provide tutors or send
children away 10 school
Before manhood or womanhood IS
reached. boys and girls leave their homes
10 find an easier life Since the time Of
slavery farmers have had their own work
70 Go. and the children have a large nor
ton OF il, t0iiing from early morning IN
III night no time for reading or i'm
provement. should they desire Yet the
farmer can scarcely be blamed for this
state Of affairs. as labOrers cannot be
found q"
She points out the difficulty in
getting good negro labor in many sections
Of the south. especially near cities. where
the attractions cal them from the farms.
ana declares that until the labor Ques-
ton finds some better solution. the farm
ers children viii be the sufferers IF
better labor conditions would exist" she
declared. life or the farm would be more
attractive, farmers would have tine for
improving and cultivating the mind. chill
tren would be surrounded with better in
duences. and the home be made what Cod
intended 1t 10 be
the FrnErTu-F - al
are not barren. al not bleak, all not in
need OF help from those who have found
better ways. But the fact is that the
Of farmers in this country are
those working small tracts. those who are
the 'share-croppers. and who must work
so hard for the privilege OF existence
they have not always time 10 look into
the question OF new machinery. the new
devices. The modern methods. and the
improved scientific fashions Of DOING
things They lead practically independ-
ant life and life that has many adj
-antases over that lived by the citv
1weilers Of Ike means and ike social
positions. but his life IS harder. and. IN
many ways, more barren. He Is one who /
has not yet learned TO conserve his own (
ana MS farm s resources His children
Enjoy that most estimable Of ali bless Z
privilege OF being born and F.
reared On farm-bUt, under che new
-egime- that makes an educational test I
II every good worker and demands a 4
Owe Of work as q requisite for success. !
-hese children are handicapped merely BY 4
he advantageless lives they have been 4
forced TO lead. They have seen their 4
athers work hard. earn little. and die
Early and their mothers grow weary. and /
I'D before their time. and Il makes them /
late the life that gave birth TO such con /
litions
Can the women OF the land. aided and /
encouraged by such indefatigable workers 4
Is the members Of the National Congress {
q Mothers. bring about a revolution. and
make life for the less prosperous country
woman and her children more worth 4
vhie2
Copyright. 800 b Frederic J Haskin.l
TO-mOrrOw-The Vaiue of EIeva-
ors