The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1914-01-09
BOOM SYSTEM OF
RURAL CREDITS
FOR FARMERS
Agricultural Commission Holds
Conference at Boston
MOVE FOR STATE BANKS MEETS
FAVOR.
Marketing and Buying on a Co-opera-
tive Basis ls Suggested.

Boston.-The movement for the
creation in New England OF a system
of rural credits, through the establish
wise, by which financial assistance
could he given TO farmers for the
extension and development of their
existing agricultural enterprises and
to encourage the pursuit OF agricul-
ture by persons not now engaged
the two-day meeting OF the New Eng
land section of the American Com
mission on Agriculture, which was
held at the State House.
The cooperative method OF buying
farm supplies and implements and
selling the products OF the farms was
also indorsed by delegates from all the
New England States, appointed by
governors thereof, and others who
have taken up the matter In the In
forest OF the development OF New
Englands agricultural resources.
The conferences at the State House
have brought out educational discus
sion OF the problem as set forth In
report of the American Commission,
based on observation in Europe,
where rural credits and cooperative
buying and selling by farmers has
been in vogue for years.
Governor Foss has taken lively
interest in the matter and has urged
the adoption Of some such measures
in addresses before grangers and ag.
ricultural societies throughout the
State
J. Lewis Ellsworth OF Worcester,
former secretary OF the State Board
Of Agriculture, and one Of the mem
bers of the American commission,
which studied conditions abroad, be-
lieves that the establishment OF the
cooperative plan OF purchasing sup
plies and implements and the sale OF
products would go far toward settl-
ing the serious dairy problem which
confronts the State Of Massachusetts.
Mr.. Ellsworth contends that the
Massachusetts, method Of producing
and marketing milk is all wrong. and
that unless something is done to as.
sist the dairyman the State will have
one, before long.
He Is also an earnest advocate OF
the adoption OF a system OF rural
credits, and he explained to the con
ference the methods by which finan-
cial assistance Is afforded farmers
abroad
DR.. Howard Edwards, president Of
the Rhode Island State College, said
that the New England farmer Is not
a man OF initiative and that II is USE
less to talk about loans and credits
for farmers when the average far.
mer Is not particularly progressive
and not interested in these PROPOSE
tions in the beginning. What we
really need" said DR.. Edwards, lis
new kind OF farmer"
His solution of the problem was a
reorganization OF the school system so
that the drain on the ambitions and
energies OF the farmers might be
stopped. He said that the young men
and women should be educated to the
fact that In agricultural pursuits
there are possibilities OF very useful
and pleasant life.
1t was the opinion OF Guy C. Smith
Of New Hampshire that farmers
should be induced to borrow more
money. He said he was not proud
Of the fact that large percentage
Of the farms in his State are not
mortgage. On the contrary, he
thought this fact might indicate
lack Of progress rather than an ideal
condition.
The results claimed for the desired
legislation include making available
for loans to farmers $1,000, 900 In the
proposed State Agricultural Bank, de-
rived from the 5000, 200, 900 OF deposits
now in our State savings banks, bring.
ing Of 100000 farmers within the state
borders In the next two or three
years, added taxes from land now idle.
decrease in the $500, 900 900 now paid
for agricultural products grown out.
side the State. cheaper food and an
Increase In the property valuation
and agricultural development in Mass.