The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-07-01
PooR RoAps cAusE lsoLATlok

L
The back TO the farm agitation
has assumed great many phases
daring the general discussion OF the
subject the past year Every conceiv
able reason ii given for the desertiof
Of the farm for the cities by the
country youth. but none Of them have
as yet stopped the detection, says the
Fargo. S. p. Argus
The government has taken great
Interest In this matter especially l4o.
san Waller Page, director OF United
States Office of public roads. Ma.
Page believes the poor condition OF
country roads has much to do with
the isolation so bitterly complained
Of hy many farmers and hopes the
day is not far distant when the farm
eas themselves will insist upon scien-
tiic road building ard refuse TO be
content with the class OF highways
common in the past.
Philosophers who have been de-
plOring the trend OF population from
country to city said Director Page
iE recent interview, might as we'll
save their energy, unless they are
prepared to help change the condi-
tons responsible for the migration.
At the root OF this condition are the
poorly kept roads of the country. 1t
IS certain that the farmers do not
get the use of their share of the
money earned in the United States
There are now over 90000,000 pople
In this country, and nearly onc-third
are farmers and their families. The
products of the farm are responsible
for more than one-third Of the wealth
and commerce of the country N0I
one can say, however, that onethird
OF this wealth is used by the farmer.I
in the betterinent OF the country dis,
tricts
1T Is due to the inactivity and lack
of cooperation among the farmers
taat countrv districts have become
depopulated. The back to the counyl
Try movement has had q considerable
vcgue at snmptuous banquets IN
cities, but the movement has not got
ten far ont of town. for the simple
reason that life in the slums, despite
III theories, frequently Is much more
liyable than life In the country
While fine phrases can be made
ii the discussion OF the Joy and
health Of hand labor in the open air
md under the sun, il Is a fact that
conditions IN due cities are much
aore healthful today than conditions
n the country Sanitation Is better,
md the air In tenements Is little
worse than the air In many country
louses where, because Of the extreme
old and lack of proper heating ap.l
laratus, the windows must be kept
'iosed from October until May.
Improper sanitation, poor drain
ge and poor highways in the conn-
nv have brought about as great a
OF diseases as exist IN the
ity. While country people are ireel
IS a rule. from tuberculosis, theyl
ia extremely liable to typhoid fever H
reumonia and other diseases that
re brought on by improper drainage
nd improper ventilation,
THE work that is being done To-
ards the Improvement of roads
throughout the country will change
lis condition. Improved roads will
I'VE to the country districts the i'm. r
fOvements enjoyed by fasrionablel
rbmrhs, and viii improve drainage
ia wipe out isolation In most 10.
sliueS, lie on farms lnVafiaDlN Del
)mes, as a result of hottomless roads
.clated and debarred Of social en-
,yment and pleasures. and country
eople IN some communities sufer
ich disadvantages that ambition is ,
hecked. energy weakened and in-l
1stry paralyzed Under such condi- !
ons II is but natural that persons
ngaged in farming. especially the
lunger folks, should seek the life
al gayety OF the cities. There they :
el they will find recreation, variety
nth. beauty and music
The difference between good and !
ID roads is often equivalent 10 the 4
nerenre between profit and loss: !
oney wisely expended for this pnr< I
lse Is sure TO return tenfold: and
w that the states are expendmgl
the aggregate one million dollaFsl
day for road Improvement coldi
ms IN the countr vase hkely 70 be
improved that the treha foward :
E city viii be stopped and the over
w in the cities viii turn To the /.
antry