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

BY DR.. CLARENCE J. OWENS.
Director General of the American
Commission 10 Investigate Euro
pean Agricultural Cooperation and
Managing Director Of the Southern
Commercial Congress
Special Cable 10 The Atlanta Georgian.
BERLIN. June 24-"The investiRa
ton OF the commission thus far has
given promise Of report TO be made
10 the American people that should
result I'm widening and defining agi-
tation in the United States in favor
OF Abe establishment Of an agricul-
turaI credit system and the adoption
Of cooperative methods in farming
by reason Of its division into Sc
tions the commission has been able.
In a comparatively short time spent
in Europe. TO make thorough studies
Of the credit and cooperative sys-
TENS i'm Italy. Hungary. Austria. Rus
STA. Holland Belgium Switzerland
and Germany and even the cotton
situation in Egypt, which is Of par
tlcular importance to the farmers Of
our South
Inquiry Goes Deep.
From Berliu the commission goes
10 Dresden. spending about seven
DAYS more I'm Germany, then taking
up its studies In France. England
and Ireland Although. OF course, ~
discussion has been held oy the com
mission 20 determined the "onsen-
sus of opinion regarding the adapt
ability Of the various systems .o
American conditions and though It
rs impossible now 20 say what form
cur report TO the American people
will take the Investigation has prob
ed deep enough To- show the greI-
assistance rendered 10 agriculture by
these systems.
ut 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 Coutrary,
farmers an live in villages and walk
to their farms to work while Ame"i
can farmers live IN COWparatiVclr
isolated houses Because OF this CON
didon and several other factors.
American farmers have developed yp
almost extreme individuaIism, which
though IL has added greatly to 'h
strength Of the nation in the char8r-
ter of its men, has not made for eCo-
nomic Advancement
Mortgage System Adaptable.
Just how far the cooperative idea
can be made TO progress in the face
OF such conditions is difficult to say.
From our studies thus far, It seems
probable that the mortgage credit
systems of Europe can be adapted
With certain changes 70 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 representative of agrI
cultural systems. In Italy we We,r.
welcomed by the King. Since the dav
of our landing I'm Europe every con
sideration has been extended us and
! am glad 10 announce mat we wilI
leave the Continent under no less
enjoyable circumstances. for Presi-
dent PoinCaire of France. ] am in
formed, will receive the COMM ssioa
IN Paris, which is the last city to ht
visited on the Continent"