The Washington times., 1914-08-26

must be done by men and women
with a spirit Of helpfulness, without
exhibiting any of the pitying atti-
tude toward our rural people. There
is nothing that I know of that Is
more quickly resented on the part or
the people on the farm than any sug-
gestion from q lecturer or institute
worker that they are to be pitied
or are In need Of charity
The farm woman's need Of pity Is
like malaria in farm communities
unknown in the personal experience
of anybody queried. but admitted TO
exist in remote localities.
The idea that the farm woman Is q
family drudge to be pitied may be so in
some farm communities or far-away
ranch homes, but 1t is not In this part OF
the vaIley"-(Mrs. X. Montana).
''of course. in some OF the far Western
States there are farm women who must
still contend with the same hardships
that have marked the experience OF the
pioneer. But most OF the farm women IN
this State are so happily situated. SO
capable Of managing their own affairs. so
perfectly satisfied with their present mode
Of life that they would regard any inter-
ference in their behalf as an unwarrant-
able impertinence. '-(Mrs. E. wisconsin,.
Analysis of Statements.
An analysis Of statements made to
me specifying either particular bene-
fits known to the situation of farm
women or well defined evils. show
this:
woman's work on the farm does
not bear to agricultural production
the relation Of a ladies' annex to a
mans club. 1t progresses as mans
work progresses by the same means
to similar ends; Thus, IN EsS S,s
question Of the farmer. it is the
woman question, too.
Water is the great question throughout
this State, and In the irrigated districts
there are usually comfortable homes. In
the dry farming districts women seem 70
miss the early garden. the trees. and
grass more than anything else. e.'-tMrs.
In Connecticut. Mrs B. halls the
telephone and the rural free de-
provement realized by the farmers
wife. In Montana, another woman
discerns that the development OF
public utilities brings relief to wom-
en- on the farm.
my husband and myself are both col
leee people and We plan for mechanical
help in the home as much as on the
farm It is benefit financially. as 1t
means less human help. and that Is a
problem on the farm. This valley having
electric car line, rural Tree delivery. anu
telephones scattered everywhere. is in
touch with surrounding towns. SO that
farmers wives NAV enjoy themselves as
their tastes and fancy direct"
Mrs. X. Of the State Of WASH
ington. likewise indicates what pub
lie utilities mean to farm women:
There Is no gas in this county. and
right in this vicinity no electricity in the
rural homes. that the labor-savinE de-
vices run by power are OF no avail to
women However near Spokane a num-
ber OF farm women have vacuum clean
er. electric washers and electric Irons"
Another demonstrated help to farm
women Is Big Business.
THE development Of the dairy indus
try has helped the farmers wife. Large
numbers OF farmers now sell their cream.
and that lightens the burden OF house
work The work OF separat ting the cream
is done bv a machine. thus economizing
labor'-fMrs. r.. Washirgton>.
Some Other Benefits.
From all sources comes testimony
OF the benefits reaped by farm wom-