Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-24
ENVOY PRAISES
FARM CREDIT
Of EUROPE
Or. Clarence J. Owens, Director
General Of Commercial Con-
gress, Gives Views.
ey nR. cLARENcg ]. oWENs.

BY DR.. CLARENCE J. OWENS.
Director General Of the American
Commission 10 Investigate Euro
peaH Agricultural Cooperation and
Kardgang Director of the Southern
Commercial Congress.
Special Cable to The Atlantis Georgian.
BERLIN. June 24-"The investiga-
ton Of the commission thus far has
given promise Of report to be made
10 the American people that should
result in widening and defining agi-
tation in the United States in favor
Of the establishment OF an agricul-
tural credit system and the adoption
Of cooperative methods in farming.
BY reason Of its division into sc
tons the commission has been able,
in a comparatively short time spent
in Europe. TO make thorough studies
OF the credit and cooperative sys-
tens in Italy. Hungary. Austria, Rus
sia, Holland. Belgium Switzerland
and Germany. and even the cotton
situation in Egypt. which is Of. par
ticular importance 10 the farmers OF
our South
Inquiry Goes Deep.
From BerliD the commission Eoes
10 Dresden. spending about seyea
days more in Germany, then taking
up its studies in France, England
and Ireland Although. Of course, No
discussion has been held Dy the com
mission 10 determined cne consen-
sus Of opinion regarding the adapt
ability Of the various systems 10
American conditions and though u
is impossible now to say what form
our report TO the American people
will take, the investigation has prob
ed deep enough to show the grel.
assistance rendered to agriculture by
these systems.
1T must be borne in mind that the
cooperative idea In Europe rests
upon the natural foundation OF com
munity life OF the farmers.
In America we have no sucn
farming villages. The men who make
up our rural villages are chiefly mid
dlemen, merchants or retired farm
ers. In Europe. on the Contrary.
farmers all live in villages. and walk
20 their farms to work, while Ameri.
can farmers live In Comparativel
isolated houses Because OF this con
dition, and several other factors,
American farmers have developed al
almost extreme individualism, which
though Il has added greatly to III
strength OF the nation in the charac-
Ter OF its men, has not made for COO
nOmic advancement.
Mortgage System, Adaptable.
Just how far the co operative idea
can be made TO progress I'm the face
of such conditions Is difficult TO say.
From our studies thus far, II seems
probable. that the mortgage credit
systems OF Europe can be adsptei
with certain changes TO American
conditions, as well as the systems OF
farmers educational political unions
so highly developed In Germany and
GermaniC Austria which will, | be-
lieve, afford a lesson OF great value
10 American farmers.
In every country visited. every
courtesy has been shown the com
mission by governments, by bankers
and by the representatives. OF agri-
cultural systems In Italy we we =
welcomed by the King. Since the dav
OF our landing in Europe every con
sideration has been extended us and
! am glad to announce that we will
leave the Continent under no less
enjoyable circumstances. for Presl-
dent Poincaire of France. I am in
formed will receive the commission
in Paris. which is the last city TO be
visited on the Continent"