The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1910-06-22
LAND FOR THE HOMELESS.

Scientific philanthropy is q com.
p%aratively recent development, but it
has already taken q place in modern
thought that is promising OF wonder.
full results. While people of wealth
during all times have endeavored to
do good for humanity in practical
ways, these efforts for the most part
have been along the lines of estab.
lished charities for the alienation Of
human suffering. The spirit of true
benevolence will never neglect these
conventional charities, for, indeed,
they are the most important channels
In which b~enefaction can be directed.
Scientific philanthropy does not essay
to belittle the work of those splendid
men and women who have established
and are maintaining hospitals, found
ing asylums, homes, libraries or other
institutions that may give health and
comfort to the unfortunate
1t is with the idea of widening the
scope OF phil anthropy that wise and
good men aud women have sought to
establish new channels for reaching
the masses. The Rockefeller founda.
ton has this end in view by proposing
to do things or a sufficiently large
scale to affect whole nations through
scientific investigation to relieve sick.
ness and want. In no less q degree
and even with q more definite aim the
National Farm Home association re.
Gently organized in Missouri seeks to
benefit humanity. This great project
contemplate the ablishment of
many farm colonies wherein people
without means may secure homes and
become self-supporting. Each colony
unit will consist Of thirty 40-acre farms
surrounding a central farm of 16O
acres. The central tract will have
sufficient machinery OF all kinds to
cultiva ate the smaller farms, ard an
expert agriculturist will be in charge
of each colony unit. He will superin-
tend all of the farms and by advice
and instruction teach the smaller far
mers how to cultivate their 40. acre
tracts to the best advantage.
The association intends to purchase
lands in various states suitable for
colony units, and the small tracts will
be available for those colonists whom
the authorities deem worthy. No ac-
tual money will be needed by the col.
onists, everything being provided. In
this way a city man, nc matter how
poor, may gain home and a farm,
and his chances of failure will be re
duced to the minimum through con.
slant help of the professional agricul-
turist at each central farm.
This is a large philanthropic scheme
and it will require a big sum of money
to get it we'll started. But it will not
be a purely charitable proposition, as
each farmer will be required to pay
back the value of his farm in small
and gradual payments. These pay.
ments will help to perpetu ate the en-.
terprise and return money borrowed
in behalf of the enterprise. Governor
Hadley, who has time and again shown
his earnest interest in the matter of
providing homes on ~unoccupied land
for the poor Of the cities, is president
of the new association. Other we'll
known men of the nation are identified
with it and there ia good reason to be.
lieve that it will be successful. AT any
rate, it is the most promising scheme
yet devised for solving the "'back to
the soil" problem among those who
have little or no money or experience
in farming.-Kansas City Journal.