The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-30
rIOUNTAlNEERo IN
SEARCHI OF ALLLNS

future, the failure to follow the in
stinct which is implanted even in the
lower animalS-that of the preserVa-
ton of the race. 1t behooves us to
preserve the means essential to the
perpetual welfare of the nation. To
accomplish the task effectively two
things are of prime Importance. In
the first place there must be a sound
moral standard on public matters;
our public men must represent and
respond to the aroused conscience of
the people. In the next place all the
great natural resources which are Wit
al to the welfare of the whole people
should either be kept in the hands of
or under the full control of the whole
people.
The Country Life.
4 pass now to the equally import.
ant, but far less understood policy o
country life. In sense you may re-
gard this policy as one part of con-
serVation. OF all possible outstanding
of physical national resources none IS
comparable in its value to the nation
with the conservation of the natura
fertility of the soil; and ever more inn
portant is it to keep the right type OF
men and women on the soil.
The country life commission says in
its report, from which 1 would like to
quote q great deal more. I'VE have
found by the testimony, not only of
the farmers themselves, but of all per-
sons in touch with farm life, more OF
less serious unrest in every part of the
United States, even in the most pros
porous regions
Here we are brought face to face
with the fact that the farmers of the
United States have not enjoyed their
due share of the progress and pros
perity of this God prospered country.
want to say to you that there is nc
more urgent problem before the people
of the United States today than THAI
OF endOWlng the countryside of our civ
iization with economic opportunities,
educational facilities, social advantages
and political recognition, more nearly
approximating to those to which oul
city population has attained. And
shall show that the cities are just as
much concerned as is the country pOpu-
lation for the well being of the farmer.
That something is wrong with rura
communities, as the country life com
mission insist, is only too we'll known.
Beyond question the growing cost
of the necessaries of life is in small
measure due to two economic facts.
Firstly, the farm lands OF the United
States do not produce nearly much
food as they might produce under con-
ditionS more favorable to the farmer.
Secondly, owing to the lack of organ
iZatiOn among farmers, the marketing
of their products is controlled by mid
die interests which lower the price to
the producer and at the same time
increase the cost to the consumer.
Public Opinion Wrong.
Now this is serious state of facts.
public opinion towards the most i'm
pOrtant body of wealth producers in
the country and a general tendency
to subordinate the interests of the
rural to those of the urban popula-
tons. This tendency was first mani
tested in England. 1t has since pre-
vailed throughout the English speak
ing world. 1t has to be corrected.
LAS I have often stated, 1 believe
that it is essential to the welfare of
the American farmers that they should
adopt generally the cooperative sys-
tenn, which already has proved highly
many of the states of the union there
are gratifying examples of associated
effort by communities. of farmers to
improve their economic conditions ana
to increase the opportunities ana
means for social satisfaction. 1 heart
iIv welcome the fact that several or
the large railway companies are oil
rectly associating themselves with the |
rural communities in their movements
towards making farming more prof
table. the pockets and country life
more satisfying to the social instincts
of the people. The good points Of the
systems and methods as revealed by
axperience in different localities could
tennatic assistance in the initial stages
of organization. An immense impulse
to the movement would result from
the extension of recognized leadership
and sympathy from the chief executive |
Of the government.
Il see no reason why the department |
If agriculture should not stand at the
head of and foster the movement FOR |
.hese great and far-reaching agrlcui-
-uraI reforms. In that department we |
nave one of the largest, if not the Iarg- |
ast civil administrative branch of gov
,rnnent in the world. The progressives |
demand. that its utilities should be far |
more widely extended. and one of their I
irst objects when they come into power |
will be to see that the department sets
tself to work on a broader scheme than |
has yet been attempted for the uplift-
ng technically, commercially. socially |
and politically of the American farmer.
Social and Political.
"A word must be added on the social |
md political aspect of the country life |
question. I have always insisted that
he social life of the country folk must
De frightened. This is largely to De |
lone by education and social organiza-
ion. Far too often in the past the edu
,ation of the rural youth has failed to |
interest them, either in the science of |
agriculture or the beauty of nature-in /
he country. Tt has rather prepared /
heir minds for the attractions and OPP
oortunities of the cities. These are mat |
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