The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1909-02-13
FARM LIFE
MESSAGE: z.
President Tells of
Country Needs.
COMMISSIONS REPORT.
More Profit and Satisfaction to
Farmers Should Result
From Its Work.

-
Roosevelt sent 10 congress today 1
special message transmitting the re
port of the country life commission
appointed by him to investigate the
conditions OF life on the farms OF the
country and to make recommendation
OF ways and means whereby farm life
may be made more remuneratiye and
attractive.
in the message the president lays
stress upon the fact that the farmers
and their families are the stay and
strength Of the country and that what.
ever tends TO make their lives less
burdensomk or unattractive is neces-
sary 10 the interests OF the nation.
He praises the work OF the members
OF the commission, who, as he says,
have labored without pay and do not
now ask compensation for their work.
The only recommendation In the mes
sage Is the request for an appropria-
ton OF $4,000 to enable the commits
sion TO digest the material IL has col
lected and put Il I'm such shape that
Il will be available for the nation.
In an appendix TO the message, pre-
ceding the report OF the commission,
the president comments on the replies
made by Missouri farmer 10 the ques-
lions asked by the commission. ITO
the question. rs the supply OF farm la
Dor In your neighborhood satlsfacto-
ryr the answer is, No, because the
people have gone out OF the baby bust
ness aud when asked as 10 the RENE
dy he answers. Give a pentlon TO
every mother who gives birth TO seven
living boys on American SOIL"
The presidents message is as fol-
lows:
To the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatives:
transmit herewith the report OF the
commission on country life. At the
outset | desire 20 point out that not
n dollar OF the public money has been
paid 10 any commissioners for his work
on the commission.
The report shows the general condl-
ton OF farming life In the open coun-
try and points out its larger problems
II indicates ways I'm which the govern
ment. national and state, may show
the people how to solve some OF these
problems, and II suggests continu-
ance OF the work which the commits
sion began.
Methods Of the Commission.
Judging by thirty public hearings. to
which farmers and farmers wives
from forty states and territories came,
and from 10000 answers 10 printed
questions sent out by the department
OF agriculture. the commission finds
that the general level OF country life
is high compared with any preceding
time or with any other land. III II has
In recent years slipped down IN some
places & has risen IN more places.
Its progress has been general. n net
uniform
Yet farming does not Yield either the
profit or the satisfaction that Il ought
10 yield and may be made 10 Yield.
There Is discomfort IN the country and
In places encouragement. Farmers as
class do not magnify their calling.
ana the movement to the towns.
though. am happy TO say. less than
formerly. Is still strong.
How Farmers Can Help Themselves.
Under our system Il Is helpful 10
promote discussion OF ways In which
the people can help themselves. There
are three main directions IN which
the farmeVs 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, tho
state colleges OF agriculture and the
mechanic arts, especially through their
extension work; the state agricultural
experiment stations. the Farmers I'M
ion, the grange. the agricultural press
and other similar agencies have all
combined to place within the reach
OF the American farmer an amount
aud quality OF agricultural informa-
ton which II applied would enable
him over large areas 10 double the
production Of tho farm.
The object Of the commission on
country life, therefore. Is not TO help
the farmer raise better crops. but TO-
call his attention 10 the opportunities
for better business and bceer living
on the farm. III country life l. 10 be.
come what Il should be and what l.
believe Il ultimately viii become ~
the most dignided desirable and sought
after ways of earning a living ~the
farmer must take advantage not only
OF the agricultural knowledge which
r. at HIS disposal. bat Of the methods
which have raised and continue 70