Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-02-10
PLAN FOR PERMANENT
ORGANIZATIONS AS AID
TO RURAL PROGRESS
Four-State Country Life Con-
ference Adopts Resolutions
Favoring State and Ma
tional Associations

Resolutions, which the Four-State
| Country Life Conference adopted this
| afternoon at the closing session in the
widener Building, are intended TO create
a permanent and national organization
to carry on the work of promoting rural
progress. The committee to form this
national body will be made up OF eight
members. two each from New Jersey,
Pennsylvania Delaware and Maryland,
and the president. Mrs. Edith Ellicott
Smith, who is president of the Pennsyl-
vania Rural Progress Association. She
will name the other members OF the
committee.
The resolutions recommended,
Recognition OF the need Of better rural
schools, and advocacy of financial support
to provide better trained teachers and
longer terms.
Contributions by all the means in their
power by the various departments OF
the State government for the improve
ment of the farm home.
A national appropriation for road con-
struCtion to assist I'm the consolidation
of the school movement, the marketing
of farm produce and fuller rural social
and religious life.
Dissemination of literature by the State
on home and school movement, and the
appointment of a State director for this
work.
An action of legislation to standardize
the work OF placing OUT children de-
pendent upon charitable organizations and
appropriation for the education of such
children in the elementary schools
An appropriation by the Legislature
for public school libraries, based on
definite sum per child in an amount con-
ditioned upon the appropriation OF an
equivalent amount by the local school
board, the books to be approved by the
State department of public instruction
and the county superintendent of schools.
State appropriation to pay part OF
the cost OF transportation OF children to
consolidated country schools. such schools
being termed the solution of the country
life problem.
Constructive study by the State De-
partment of Agriculture of the problem
of marketing and distributing farm prod
ucts with view to such a solution as
will conserve the interests of all persons
Attention by rural workers to the de-
velopment of the country church as the
special institution dealing with the spirit
Of Christ as the power which can per-
bind the community together
Support by legislators OF Shepard bill
100000 to investigate and
promote rural euuCAtlOn.
Appointment of a committee of nine
members, the president and two members
rom each of the four States, to plan the
'ormation of representative organiZa-
Ion which shall federate in a national
body all the organizations engaged def
1itely in the promotion of rural progress.
Thanks to the moral and financial sup
,ort offered by the various associations
and special votes of thanks to
he speakers and neWSpaDerS.
The Committee on Resolutions consisted |
# C. o. Bemis Thomas A. Book, Jean |
Kane Foulke and Il. NJ. Rapp.
THE church and school must save the |
American farmer" said the Rev. DR.. |
Warren II. Wilson. member OF the Presby- |
erian Board of Home Missions.
I'VE are losing the old-fashioned Amer |
can farmer" he added. THE country |
hurch must save him, but these churches |
re waning, especially in Pennsylvania. |
he influence of the country church |
ught to make better schools. With bet
er schools the farmer has more oppor-
unity to develop along educational lines
The old.fashioned farmer is the most
idebound individual ! can think Of He
5 absolutely hedged in by customs. Be-
ause of his conservatism there has been
lowering away by special types of whole
ural communities Farmers are gradu-
lily coming TO the cities, This is true of
II sections of the country, East West
liddle, North and South. We must rely
n the churches and schools to hold the
armers and develop them"
The Rev, H. M. Augustine, of Hanover,
:. j., said the leaders in country life
lovements were the folks from the city.
he meeting was presided over by the |
lev. Edmund de $. Drummer. of Easton,
"a.