The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-09-29
RURAL STUDY N
STATE COMPLETE
Credit Good and Common
wealth Well Able to Take
the New Methods.

NOTtn DakOta m are tlTeu
of being preached at; they are just
as anxious as the business men and
their organizations are to make the
most out of their land: they know
that they must adopt modern and
better farming methods to accom-
plish that end. Farmers too are
operating on a narrower margin of
profit than any other industry.
That. in substance, is the view en-
rcssed by a special commission APP
pointed by Governor L. B. Hanna TO
investigate the rural community needs
of the state. the report being trans
mitted to the American rural COM
mission at Washington, D. c. The
report follows:
Clarence j. Owen, director general.
the permanent American commission.
agricultural. finance, production, dis
tribution, rural life.
My Dear Sir: We, the UNDER
signed commissioners, appointed by
Governor Hanna of North Dakota to
report on the agricultural needs of
North Dakota, respectfully submit the
following:
Statistics show that in 1911 farm
ers received $4,000. 600. 900 for their
products. Consumers paid $13 .000.-
100000 for same products. Cost of
transportation for the products was
only $495. 600. 900. The farmers for
such products, including the cost Of
transportation got less than one-half
of the total amoun paid by the con-
sumer.
Use the Methods
The agricultural needs of North
Dakota at the present time can be
best served by all the we'll disposed
people who are advising the farmers
o to travel the road to success,
making good in that line themselves.
that is, if we know how to farm, let
us demonstrate the methods by prac-
teal experience. In other words.
weeds are cut, profitable crops raised.
moisture conserved and success per-
petuated. Then demonstrate that all
this can be done at a profit, and con-
vince the farmer that he is not being
made a part Of an industrial system
hat is aiming to force production
without due measure of profit.
When the country home is given
the same conveniences that the city
home enjoys. the city must pay for
its food supplies off the farm suf-
ficient to hire the help necessary to
take care Of the time and cost of
such improved living. Competition.
mentally. advantageously and econo-
mically, has been SO keen in the city
sAAoS Az 4aoAiLy o4tu pAASS Va ASlP vi
the country has not kept pace with
the price the city wishes to pay for
farm products. The result is the
changing of ownership from the
farmer who lives on his farm to the
city ownership.
Farming to be a success must be
a profitable. and enjoyable industry.
the farmers are getting tired of be-
ing reached at, but never grow tired
of seeing things grow, or being made
to grow beautifully. Present meth
DDS in national government tend to
put the farmers in competition with
all the world. to set an example in
necessary to produce the greatest
amount for the least compensation.
Over against this condition stand the
powerful organizations that tend to
hold production to a safe and prof1ta-
BILE balance with the demand, in near
~ all industrial fields including skill
ed labor.
State Well Equipped.
So far as North Dakota is con-
cerned, no state in the union is bet
ter equipped to supply the necessary
university, agricultural college, ex-
pertinent stations, farmers Institutes.
country schools. are all adequate and
progressive and practically in the
hands of the farmers; representative
government to shape according to
their w best interests and the in
terests Of the tate.
In this direction we recommend
further effort and extension of agri-
cultural and manual training in all
the schools, expansion Of demonstra-
ticn farms throughout the country,
siso a better farming association. We
recommend untiring effort in main
xojSn$n~ - 1@~A{4O R1~~.1So .-A-.--
the farmers and their brethren of the
banks. the railroads and commercial
centers.
The uplift is on in North Dakota
and the intelligence of the farmers
is equal to their task. and today we