The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-11-17
COUNTRY TOWNS
on THE DECLINE
Farmers Surrounding 1t
Much More Progress
siXe Says Observer

KANSAS CITY, Mo, Nov. IL
one notwithstanding features az a
nryeY2of social conditions in rur-
Communities OF the middle west
III IsSH, Btrkhead, pastor u All
sopl UpitariaE church Of this city.
3 the decadeDce Of the country
town The survey is based on 0bser-
vance made by DR.. Birkheal N
more than eighty towns in Mime
BOta, South Dakota, Iowa, M!ssourl'
KANSAS, Arkansas, Nebraska, Colo
tado Illinois, and Wisconsin, while
he was on a lecture tour. Or. Birk-
head, who is an active social wor-
ker. discussed community prob
lens In each OF the towns and made
careful inquiry as to local condt-
lions In order to make his lectures
pertinent. /,
Almost everywhere. DR.. Birkhead
\ reports;th country town IS either
actuaIly losing in population or is
hafefyrhoiding It's own Instead Ct
hefuR|th capital, as 1t were, o. the
surrounding farming district,
n leading in business enterprise, cdu-
cation and progress. almost every
where the country town is outclass-
ed Nv the farmers
Leadership is needed, DR.. Btrk-
head says, but there Is nothing TO
aeyelop leadership, no satisfactory
opportunity for young people and
they go elsewhere. In one ommu
nifty 90gper cent of the young peO-
pie went to the city.
The country town merchant, &C
stf g.SR-- - n. nEnIrGrpt on1b,0 ~ q
his business by time worn methods
and the mail order house takes his
place. In addition, he says, the re-
tired farmer is not an asset 10 the
Town, seeming to rot out after leay-
ing the activities Of farm life.
On the other hand. DR.. Birkhead
says, the farmer is wide-awake and
progressive, 80 long as he remains
on the farm, Cooperative enter
prise are springing up everywhere.
There are cooperative hardware
and general merchandising stores.
There are cooperative mills and
elevators owned by farmers. The
projects are Incorporated, tho far
mers are stockholders, they held
meetings and appoint salaried men
to administer the business.
Great pride ia taken in the
schools, Or, Birkhead's survey
shows, but in every town where
there were from nj to five dead
churches. Some signs Of a move
ment to establish community
churches were apparent.
The farming communities have
received their inspiration from the
national and state departments OF
agriculture, from the agricultural
colleges and from the farm papers.
according to DR.. Birkhead. There
is farm agent in practically ev-
cry county who represents the state
department of agriculture. Farm
er's Institutes, which began ut
state agricultural colleges are nov
held In different towns and lectures
on farm subjects ire given.
In many counties there is a wo-
man demonstration who advises with
the woman concerning everything
about the homecoming modern
Kitchen equipent, laundry machine
ry and similar subjects.
There is nothing like this for the
country town-no organization for
Improvement.
1.-THE two great needs Of the farm
are better equipped homes and
good roads," DR.. Birkhead says.
The American farm is the best
equipped in the world, but modern
Improvements in the homes are
greatIySneeded. In many cases the
barnss are better equipped than
the houses, perhaps have running
water where there is none at tho
house,
In many places, farm tenancy Is
increasing and the permanent good
of the farm and OF the community
suffer. The tenant does not take
the same interest in keeping up the
value of the land. nor in tho coop
eratiye enterprises of the commun-
ity. The condition is due to farm
ers retiring and leaving their lands
to tenants. In some counties, as
much as 60 per cent Of the farm
land is occupied by tenants"
rs SThe largest barn in the world.