Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-10
Report Transmitted by President Dis
cusses Some Conditions on Farm,

Report Transmitted by President Dis
cusses Some Conditions ON Farm.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-The report of
the Commission on Country Life was trans
mitted to congress by the president.
TIL report OF the commission describes
with some fuilness the existing conditions
Of farm life and points out the causes
that may have led to its present lack of
organization. 1t suggests methods for the
redirection Of rural society, for arresting
the drift to the city, for maintaining the
natural rights Of the farmer and for the
development Of an organized rural life
that will promote the prosperity of the
whole nation.
Broadly speaking. agriculture in the
United States is prosperous and the condi-
tons in many of the great farming regions
are improving. Country homes generally
are improving in comfort, attractiveness
and healthfulness. Many institutions. or
CARNATIONS and movements are actively
contributing to the increasing, welfare of
the open country.
There has never been a time when the
American farmer was as we'll off as he is
today, when not only his earning power
but the comforts and advantages he may
secure are considered. There has been a
complete and fundamental change in our
whole economic system within the last
century.
Yet it is true, Notwithstanding all this
progress as measured by historical stand
ards, that agriculture is not commercials
| as profitable as it is entitled to be for the
labor and energy that the farmer ex-
ponds and the risks that he assumes, and
that the social conditions in the open
country are far short of their possibilities.
Ignorant of Possibilities.
Rural society is lacking chiefly in a
knowledge on the part of the farmers of
the exact agricultural conditions and
| possibilities of their regions. resulting
in the widespread depletion of soils with
the injurious effect on rural life; in proper
training for country life in the schools; in
good highway facilities. and in organiza-
ton for buying and selling.
There is an absence of any adequate
system of agricultural credit, a shortage
OF labor. often complicated by intemper-
ance among workmen; a lack of institu-
tons and incentives that tie the laboring
man TO the soil; the life of the farm
woman is burdensome and narrow; there
is need Of adequate supervision of public
health. np'
The farmer is handicapped by the specu-
a iOiNliA6 VI ANU AlIOhOBCiAotiS W.
troll Of streams and forests, waste of our
natural resources, and by restraint of
trade.
Some of the remedies for the conditions
set forth lie with the national govern
ment, some OF them with the states and
communities in their corporate capacities,
some with voluntary organizations, and
some with individuals acting alone.
All organized forces both in town and
country should understand that there are
country phases OF our civilization, and
that one phase needs help as much as the
other. All these agencies should realize
their responsibility to society. Many ex-
listing organizations and institutions might
become practically cooperative or mutual
in spirit, as for example, all agricultural
societies, libraries, Young Mems Chris
tan associations and churches. All the
organizations standing for rural progress
should be federated in states and nation.
Organized Effort Necessary.
There are several great forces, or princi-
piles, which must be utilized in the en-
deavor to solve the country life question,
There must be s. vast enlargement of vol.
untary. organized effort among farmers
themselves. It is indispensable that farm
ers shall work together for their common
| llLtltElS utu u lHt L
they do not do this, no governmental ac-
tivity, no legislation, not even better
schools, will greatly avail. The forces ami
institutions that make for morality and
spiritual ideals among rural people must
be cnergized.
There must be not only a fuller scheme
OF public education, but a new kind OF
education adapted TO the real needs of the
-.a- raanI. Tho ,o,tpfry Srnoo1a arg
TO be so redirected that they shall educate
their pupils in terms of the daily life. OPP
portunities for training toward the agri-
cultural caliings are to be multiplied anc
made broadly effective. This means re-
doubled efforts for better country schools
and a vastly increased interest in the vel
fare OF country boys and girls on the part
CT those who pay the school taxes. Educa,
ton by means of agriculture is to he d
part Of our regular public school work
Special agricultural schools are to be or
ganized.
The country people everywhere are ask
ing for good roads. Everywhere. too. they
want a parcels posi- and the extension OF
the rural free delivery.
The commission has purposely avoided
endorsing any particular bill now before
] GOlkitnSs hO hiaAANi hhn NR ~ W
ject. In the opinion of the commission
however, there are two or three move,
ments of the utmost consequence that
should be set under way at the earliesi
possible time because they are Fundamental
to the whole problem of permanent re
construction. There should be organized
under government leadership a compre'
hensive plan for an exhaustive study Of
survey OF all the conditions that surround
the business Of farming and the people
who live in the country, in order to TAKE
stock of our resources and TO supply th'
farmer with knowledge.
College Extension Work.
Each state college of agriculture should
organize as soon as practicable. a com
plste department u eollege extension
Local, state. and even nation conferences
on rural progress, designed TO unite thu
interests Of education, organization and
religion, should be held.
There is need for young people OF quail
ity, energy, capacity, aspiration and con
~viction. who will live in the open %countr!
as permanent residents on farms or Al
teachers. or in other useful fields, and who
while developing their own business or az
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