The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1913-12-26

our financial arrangements do not
satisfactorily cover the rural COM
munities and there is need of better
credit arrangements for farmers. The
interest is widespread. 1t is mani
tested by many letters received at the
department, by articles in periodicals
by the action of the various states,
and .by the thought of congress in
providing for commission Of inquiry
abroad. 1t is clear, says the secre-
tary, that conditions vary widely in
the United States, that farmers dc
not equally need better credit ar
rangements, and that all sections are
not similarly circumstanced In fact
from some sections come the request
not SO much for capital at lower rates
but for information as to how to in.
vest capital. The secretary shows
that intaking action in this field Of
rural credits it would seem desirable
that we bear certain guiding princi.
pies in mind. There does not seem
to be any real demand or need fol
any action that would do more than
provide as adequate financial machin-
cry for the rural districts within prac
ticable limits as are provided for
other sections There does not ap-
pear to be need for unique or special
legislation, or for legislation which
shall aim to give the farmer credit
on easier terms than other members
of society. What is needed, he feels
is the creation of conditions and ma
chinery which will enable the far
mer on similar credit foundations
to secure money at the same rates as
those that prevail for other classes
and for other sections. Present con-
ditions do not seem to justify pro-
posals to give any class of people
capital provided by all the people
through any device at lower rates OF
interest than economic conditions
normally require or than those at
which other classes secure it under
similar conditions.
The broad questions of rural or
CARNATIONS are briefly discussed. Be-
fore rural life can be made fully eff
cient, profitable, healthful, pleasur-
able and attractive, and before larg-
er disposition to remain on the farm
develops, many types of organization
must have consideration.
Helping the Farm Woman.
Attention is called to recent in
vestigations of the department to de-
termine the status of the woman on
the farm. The secretary states that
the woman on the farm is most i'm
portant economic factor in agricul-
ture; that on her rests largely the
moral and mental development of the
children, and ON her attitude de-
ponds, in great measure the import
ant question of whether the second
generation will lcontinue to farm or
will seek an easier life in the cities.
To ascertain the fields in which farm
women desire sepcific assistance, a
letter of inquiry was addressed to
the housewives of $4,000 farmers in
all sections of the United States.
This letter asked no questions and
left every woman free to discuss any
need which occurred to her. Analy-
ses of these letters, as far as time has
permitted, already show that women
want help in practically every phase
of home management. Many ex-
press fear of the results of overwork
on their childlen and themselves.
The difficulties of securing domestic
help are emphasized. Many ask the
department to prove to the man that
their woark is worth something in
dollars and cents. These letters have
been extremely valuable in suggest
ing constructive methods of aiding
the woman on the farm Analysis
of the letters will be completed and
effort made to satisfy requests for
assistance which lie properly within
the departments province.
Popularizing the Departments Work
Important steps have been taken,
it would seem, in the direction of pop
ularizing the departments work.
Changes have been made in the bull
letins and system adopted whereby
the public is quickly informed as to
new facts developed within the de-
partment. Information and material
prepared and sent out may take the
form of timely warnings against
fraud in seeds and foods, notices of
quarantine against plants and animal
advice as to means of combating crop
and animal pests, or general infor-
nation as to the handling of various
crops.
Relations With State Agricultural
Institutions
Running through the secretery's
report is constant argument for clos