Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1915-09-02


The leases are largely In the
Idorm OF oral contracts which run for
only one year and which make no PRO-
IEision fer compensation to the tenant
for any Improvement which may be
lmade upon the property. As result,
tenants are restrained from making
improvements and in many cases do.
mot proper! Provide for the upkeep
of ahe proerfg
5. Further lore, the tenants are in
SEINE instances the victims Of oppres-
sion on the part of landlords This OPP
ipression taei1s the form of dictation
laof character and amount of crops.
eviction without due notice and dis
ITimination because of personal and
political convictions. The existing
law provides no recourse against such
abuses.
As result both Of tae evils in
iherent in the tenant system and of
'Hhe oecsicnal oppression by land
lords, state of acute unrest is deyel-
- p or &c tenan S aitd there
areclear indications of the beginning
CT organized resistance which may re-
suit in civil disturbances of aserious
charater.
8. The situation is being accentu-
llated by the increasing tendency of
lt.e landlords to L e to the Towns
land cities, relieving themselves, not
ionly from all productive labor but
Ifrom direct responsibility for the con-
Editions which develop. Furthermore,
as result of the increasing expenses
incident to urban life, there is a
marked tendency to demand from the
tenant a greater share of the products
iUf his labor. -,
conditions rests not upon the LAM
lords, butt upon the system itself. The
principal causes are to be found !
the system of short leases, the sys
TEN of private credit at exorbitant
rates, the lack of aproper system of
marketing, the absence of education j
facilities, and last, but not least, the
prevalence of land speculation.
10. A new factor is being intra
lduced into the agricultural situation
Through development of huge estates
towned by corporations ar crHeratn
10y salaried managers upon a purely
industrial system The labor condi-
Itions on such estates are subject to
tgrave criticism. The wages are ex-
Iceedingly low, 80 cents per day being
1.-THE prevailing rate on one large estate
(which was thoroughly investigated !;
Iarbitrary reductions fro mwages are
made for various purposes; and a
considerable part Of the wages them.
Iselves are paid in the form of cou-
Ipons, which are, in all essential par.
Iticulars, the same as the Scrip"
(which has been the source of great
fabuse. Furthermore, the commun:-
tiles existing on these Urge estates
are subject to the complete control
Iof the land-ownfng corporation, which
J may regulate the lives of citizens to
lalmost any extent There is an ap
, parent tendency toward the increase
J lof these large estates and the great
, lest abuses may be expected if they
iare allowed to develop. y
: Ii. Prompt and effective action on
; the part of the States and the Nation
: ds necessary If any alienation of the
, conditions which have been described
: lis to- be achieved.
1t is suggested that the Commits
. sion recommend: -
: L. The development through legis
: f.ation Of a system of longtime leases
providing that the, tenant shall be
compensated for. all Improvements
made upon the property, and also pro
viding for cropping systems which
J will amintaanssthe fertility Of sthe SOIL
!, 2. The establishment of Nationa.
: and State farm. bureaus for the fol
lowing urposes: s.
II a To actaas an agent between
, Landlords and tenants in the distribu
: Ltion of tenant labor.
b. To act. as an agent bmetween
; Landlords and tenants in the prepare
J zion of equitable contracts
: c. To act as an information
Iageney to assist 1ome-seeEing farm
lers.
d. To assist in the distribution OF
, seasoned labor
The development of better credit
: facilities through the assistance Oh
.fthe Government and cooperative or
lganization of farmers and tenants
ItNo single measure can be recon
, lmendedI; the results may be achieved
Through the Development of a sound
, rural credit system, the development
lof land banks, mortgage associations
] and credit unions. Foreign experience
shows that through these means the
rate of interest can be greatly re
: dnced and the security of both the
!, borrower and the lender can be in
. creased.
il A. The general introduction OF
! mOdernized rural schools and compu1
sorry education of children The func
! tons of the school system should be
extended beyond education to the so
ID A dC.