The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-11-13
HARRE1T ON RURAL CREDITS.
How System May BE Made Effective.


Farmers Union
Discussion the country over is
raging around the subject OF rural
credits AT the outset, 1 want to saw
l have made some investigation Of the
matter that I believe a modified sys-
| tern of rural credits feasible in Ameri-
Ca that l am convinced the time has
| come for action and not merely talk,
and that rural credits may be ''sed to
| stem the tendency toward landlordism
which L know to be one Of the gravest
menaces facing this nation.
There is little use for me to dwell
upon the various plans offered where
by some system of rural credits can
be made effectual. 1t is only essen
tial to say that the Raiffeisen and
| other plans have been followed in
Germany and other old-world coun-
tries with signal success for more
than century. 1t is possible, under
one Of these plans, for a number Of
farmers In given community to be-
come mutually responsible for loans
extended to their respective members.
IT Is also possible for rural credits to
be materialized by constituting the
land itself the basis Of loans-and
that plan is meritorious anI econ
20
that in the last analysis the soil is
the surest of all wealth.
The International Institute of Ag-
rlculture IN Rome, under the direc-
ton Of David Lubin. has made
through inquiry into all these plans
and if any American farmer desires
detailed information Mr. Lubin will
be glad to furnish it,
l want to stress right now to every
farmer in this country who is talking
excitedly about plans and who
thinks that all that is necessary TO
succeed with rural credits or any,
thing else is to find "plans'-that
there are plans galore. What is need
ed right now is Men Bold Enough
and With Sufficient Initiative in Every
Community to Carry These Plans in
10 Execution. and to do it in the Face
or DiscOuragement, Difficulties and
Sacrifice Of Time and Health. IL That
is Necessary.
1T Is just as well, therefore, to stop
worrying so much about plans" and
think more about how we are going
to find the men to execute the plans.
not just for one week but right on to
the end Of the chapter
1t is necessary to remember, how
ever. that Germany is country of
thickly settled, small communities
and that the plans which have proved
advisable there may have to be al
tered to take into account separation
of agricultural units in America.
This process resolves itself, however,
into matter of detail and the main
portion Of the task is, as have
stated, the locating and training of
the men to carry into effect any sys-
tenn Of rural credits that may be de-
vised, whether under governmental
or private supervision.
Now, to the second feature; that
OF landlordism in America. be-
lieve that perfected system Of rural
credits can Go much to overcome or
at least lesson this evil. If you doubt
that 1t exists I only ask that you in
vestigate in your own neighborhood
as to the number Of men who own
acres, wild or cultivated, owned by
an absolute landlord.
After all is said, it remains that
America is a land the prosperity and
progress Of which are founded on
agriculture. II we allow to form in
this country class Of controlling
land owners, and a corresponding
class Of tenants subject to these land
lords, We create a system that is the
direct opposite of democratic govern
ment and that will eventually lead to
condition of land monopoly besides
which the problems of the socalled
high cost Of living and other muchly-
agitated issues will dwindle to in
significance. l was astonished when,
in conversation recently with Prof. f..
{. Branson, of Athens, Ga he gave
me figures relating to Georgia alone
OF absentee ownership which are al
most Incredible Had not the figures
been based on conditions Of which 1
am personally aware, l would have
doubted them.