The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1913-08-08
CONFERENCE IN COLUMBIA
Men and Women, Interested in
Uplift of State, Meet.
DISCUSS IMPORTANT PROBLEMS
Clarence f. Poe, Editor of Progress
sive Farmer, and Congressman
Lever Make Speeches.

Columbia Special to Spartanburg
Herald, Aug. 6.-Over 200 persons,
representing all classes and condi-
hons in the complex life of the
state, gathered in the Columbia
theatre this afternoon and tonight
at the initial conference of the Con-
ference for the Common Good. No
more notable gathering has ever been
held in the South than this, when
socially sensitive South Carolinians,
imbued with a love for their state
and inspired by it's traditions, have
assembled to correlate and co-ord1-
nate constructive forces and prin-
ciples making for the future welfare
of it's citizens. The ideal underly-
ing the conference seemed to inspire
the speakers and auditors, and great
interest and enthusiasm were mani
tested in the thoughtful discussion OF
varying problems.
At the afternoon conference men
of wide and prominent distinction
spoke on the various lines of efforts
making for betterment IN rural life,
its relation to home ownership and
social welfare and the plans for pro-
noting home ownership. The speak
ers were: Clarence Poe, editor OF
The Progressive Farmer; A. f.
Lever, congressman from the seventh
district; w. H. Mills OF Greenville.
In the evening a series OF ten
minute talks was heard. These dis
cussions, like those Of the afternoon
session, were characterized by an un-
dertone of serious concern over the
rapid drift from farm to city life.
Grave consideration was given the
problem of tenancy, the cause un-
derly!og the depopulation of the
rural districts and the controlling
factors and causes making for these
results. How to make rural life
more comfortable and attractive was
the purpose of many constructive
suggestions. While there was an
occasional break into lighter vein,
yet the prevailing tone was one of
deep earnestness and purpose.
The ten-minute talks were given
by s. j. Summers, of Cameron; DR..
q. A. Hines, secretary of the state
medical society; Rev. E. o. Watson,
president of Horny Industrial school;
]. e. Carroll, superintendent of edu-
cation for Y k county; 8. r. Brown
and w. F. 0bertson, of Greenville,
and B. B. Hare, of the United States
department of agriculture. w. W.
Long, of the federal department OF
agriculture, was to have been ~1e of
the speakers, but he wax .havoid-
ably detained.
Women and men who are interest
ed in the uplife of South Carolina
met here this afternoon for a con-
ference, when the vital problems
concerning every citizen will be dis
cussed. The meeting was held in the
Columbia theatre. Two general meet
ings will be held tomorrow and there
will be several auxiliary conferences,
when special lines OF work will be
pursued.
The exercises this afternoon were
presided over by w. K. Tate, state
supervisor of rural elementary
schools and the originator of the
conference. Purposes of the con-
ference were outlined In a simple and
erect speech by Mr.. Tate He sum-
moned the forces OF humanity in
South Carolina TO help humanity. It
was sympathetic appeal for all
South Carolinians to get together
and work for the common good.
PoE's ADDRESS SOUND.
Clarence e. Poe, editor of The
Progressive Farmer, of Raleigh, N.
c., brought message to the COM
monwealth builders. His address
was sound and contained good ad-
vice. The Rev. w. II. Mills, of
of the church in rural development
The principal address of the after
noon session was delivered by Con-
gressman Lever, of this district He
is the chairman of the house com
mittee on agriculture. He outlined
a national program for the develop
ment of American agriculture and
told Of what the national house of
representatives is trying to do.
Following these set addresses,
there was a general discussion of the
subjects presented. Those in at
tendance were requested to give full
and free thought to the issues.
DR.. r. A. Hines, of Seneca, dis
cussed home ownership and health.
He told of the work of the state
board of health and what the plans
are for the future. Home owner
ship and the school was discussed
by J. E. Carroll, superintendent of
education of York county. william
r. Robertson, OF Greenville, dis
cussed a plan for helping mill work
ers to purchase a home.
TO HELP TENANT FARMERS.
A plan for helping tenant farmers
acquire land was discussed by B. B.
Hare, OF the United States depart
ment of agriculture.
Tomorrow will be busy day for
the conference and an increased at
tendance is expected. Among the
questions to be discussed will be edu-
cation and child welfare At the
evening session problems of citizen
ship will be discussed. 1.-The Majecty
OF the Law" will be discussed by
Dr III N SNYDER. president OF VVof-