The Somerset reporter., 1909-03-04
COUNTRY LIFE COMMISSION.

mitted to congress the voluminous re-
port Of the country life commission
which he appointed about year ago
to investigate into agricultural condi-
lions and life over the country and re-
port to him and make recommends
tions which they thought would be in
strumental In improving conditions.
The commission consisted Of four men
of exceptional qualifications both In
breadth Of view and keen insight Into
the agricultural needs and problems
of the country. Their report to the
president consisted of a digest Of the
data and evidence secured at thirty
public hearings held at different points
and attended by the farmers and farm
ers' wives Of forty different states and
territories and from 10000 answers
to printed questions, which were very
generally distributed. In the execu-
tive letter Of transmissal to congress,
which is really an admirable digest OF
the committees report, 1t Is pointed
out that the general level OF country
life is high and compares favorably
with that of any previous era In the
history of the country. Yet, notwith-
standing this condition, farming does
not yield the financial returns 1t ought
to give. Added to this, there Is much
discomfort, and even encouragement.
Three ways are suggested which, 1t Is
thought, will help to improve this con-
dition-namely, better type Of farm
ing, better business methods and a
better type of living on the farm.
With a view to realizing these ends
the president makes the following rec
concentrations:
"First.-Effective cooperation among
farmers, to put them on level with
the organized interests with which
they do business.
"Second.-A new kind of schools IN
the country, which shall teach the
children as much outdoors as indoors
and perhaps more, so that they Will
prepare for country life and not, as
at present, mainly for life in town.
"Third. Better means of communica-
ton, including good roads and par
cells post, which the country people
are everywhere, and rightly, unani-
nous in demanding"
The federal department Of agrlcul-
ture, state experiment stations, the
agricultural press and other agencies
are recognized as agencies which are
doing an excellent service in favoring
a better type Of agriculture. which,
realized, would mean doubling Of
crop yields In many sections Of the
country. The president asserts that
rightly viewed and carried on, agricul-
fed, desirable and sought after ways
of earning livelihood. In bringing
this condition Of things to pass en-
phasis is placed on the need Of organi-
zation and cooperation for business
and social reasons. The religious need
Is also recognized and an important
place given the country church in this
connection, while an especial tribute Is
paid the home as the most powerful
factor in the development of charac-
ter and personality, the presence or
lack Of which tends to make life rich
or poor At the close Of his message
the president emphasizes the fact that
the permanency Of our civilization de-
ponds upon the wholesomeness, attrac-
tiveness and completeness as well as
the prosperity Of country life. An ap-
preparation Of $4,000 is recommended
In order that the commission may be
able to digest the material 1t has col
lected and to collect and digest other
valuable data which are within easy
reach. While this is but beginning,
the work of the country life commits
sion is bound to result in untold bene-
fit.