The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-02-11

time.
Congress can remove some of the
hsndicaps Of the farmer, and it can
also set some kinds of work In motion,
such as:
The encouragement of a system of
thorough going surveys of all agricul-
tural regions in order to take stock
and to develop a scientifically and
economically sound country life;
The establishing Of a nationalized
system of extension work in rural
communities through all the land
grant colleges with the people at their
homes and on their farms;
A thorough going investigation by
experts of the middleman system Of
handling farm products, coupled with
q general inquiry into the farmers
disadvantages in respect to taxation,
transportation rates, cooperative or
CARNATIONS and credit, and the gen
| eral business system;
An inquiry into the control and use
Of the streams of the United States
with the object OF protecting the PEG
| pie in their ownership and of saving
| to agricultural uses such benefits as
! should be reserved for these purposes;
! The establishing OF a highway en-
| cheering service, or equivalent organi-
cation, to be at the call Of the states
in working out effective and econom-
zeal highway systems;
The establishing of a system Of
parcels posts and postal savings
! banks;
And providing some means or
agency for the guidance OF public
! opinion toward the development OF
real rural society that shall rest di-
rectly on the land.
Other remedies recommended for
consideration by congress are:
The enlargement OF the United
States bureau of education, to enable
It to stimulate and coordinate the ed
ucational work Of the nation;
Careful attention to the farmers
/ interests in legislation on the tariff,
on regulation Of railroads, control OF
regulation of corporations and Of spec
ulaion, legislation in respect to riv-
ers, forests. and the utilization OF
swamp lands;
Increasing the powers OF the fed
eral government in respect TO the
supervision and control OF the public
| health;
| Providing such regulations as will
enable the states that do not permit
the sale Of liquors to protect them
selves from traffic from adjoining
states
In setting all these forces in motion,
the cooperation of the states will be
necessary; and in many cases definite
state laws may greatly aid the work.
Remedies of a more general nature
are: A broad campaign OF publicity
that must be undertaken until all the
! people are informed on the whole sub
! iect Of rural life, and until there is an
awakened appreciation Of the neces-
sity Of giving this phase OF our ma
tional development as much attention
as has been given to other phases or
interests; a quiCkened sense OF re
| sponsiDility, in all the country people
TO the community and the state in the
| conserving OF soil fertility and in the
necessity for diversifying farming in
| order to conserve this fertility and to
| develop a better rural society, and
also in the better safeguarding of the
strength and happiness Of the farm
women; more widespread conviction
| of the necessity Of organization, not
| only for economic but fer social pur-
| fhiS nj to 10,
less cooperative, SO that all the people
may share equally in the benefits and
| have voice in the essential affairs Of
the community; a realization on the
part of the farmer that he has a dis
tinct natural responsibility toward the
laborer in providing him with good
living facilities and in helping him in
every way TO be man among men;
| and a realization on the part of all
the people OF the obligation to protect
and develop the natural scenery and
attractiyeness OF the open country.
Certain remedies lie with voluntary
organizations and institutions All or
ganiZed forces, both in town and coun-
try, should understand that there are
| country phases as well as city phases
of our civilization, and that one phase
needs help as much as the other. All
these agencies should recognize their
responsibility to society. Many exist
ing organizations and institutions
might become practically cooperative
or mutual in spirit, as, for example, all
agricultural societies, libraries, Young
Mems Christian associations, and
churches, All the organizations stand
ing for rural progress should be fed
Grated, IN state and nation.
Underlying Problem Of Country Life
The commission has pointed out a
number of remedies that are extreme
ly important; but running through all
Of these remedies are several great
forces, or principles, which must be
utilized In the endeavor to solve the
problems OF country life. All the peo-
Pile should recognize what these fun
damental forces and agencies are.
Knowledge.-To improve any situa-
ton, the underlying facts must be un.
derstood. The farmer must have ex-
act knowledge OF his business and OF
/ IL II. ~ Il