The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-10-01
TO EDUCATE 100000.
To Make Them Land Owners and
Capable of Thinking for Them
selves.

Abingdon, ILL.,, Sept. 29.-Establish-
ment of farm school for the poems
of Mexico, the first Of its kind in
that country, is planned by the Meth
odist Episcopal Church, Bishop Will
bur p Thirkield of Mexico CITY an
nounced at the Central Illinois Con-
ference. The short way to civiliza-
ton in Mexico, he declared, is
through the training of farmers in
practical agriculture, and he reported
that in two personal conferences
President Obergon had given him
strong endorsement of the plan.
Land for a demonstration farm at
a stragetic point at Queritaro has
already been acquired and plans for
the school building have been drawn.
THE fundamental problem of Mex
leo is that of the peons," Bishop
Thirkield said. Until these ten mil
lion can be reached and lifted into
a broader and stronger life the re-
public is not safe. For a century the
peon has been used as the tool OF
revolutionary leaders. A new peon,
conscious of liberty, with some glim-
mering conception Of human rights,
has come to the front.
"The question now is into what
channels this fresh, surging, tumultu-
Gus, undisciplined life shall be turned.
As new social and political force
the peon must be reckoned with
1.-THE seat of unrest and peril is
in the poverty of the landless peon.
The only stable basis for a democ-
racy is Mexico is the ceration OF a
large group of small land owners.
president Obregon's new program
me for Mexico has in view the pur-
chase of some of the vast tracts OF
land and their sole on long terms 10
the peon class, duly protecting them
in their holdings. To make this per-
manent success the peon needs prac-
teal training as a farmer. He has
to-day neither the initiative nor the
knowledge and skill to win perma-
nent success. The States neglect OF
training in agriculture is to be de-
plored.
president Obregon sees that there
is a relation between improved crops
and social betterment. These solid
enduring conditions of life must
spring from the soil. And agriclu-
ture as an industry is basic in Mex
lea. Really the principle industry IN
Mexico is agriculture, and it has
vast unrealized possibilities"
OF the aims of the school, Bishop
Thirkield said: 1.-THE entire work will
be practical. No college of agricul-
ture is planned. Students will be
given courses in the elements OF
practical farming. Teachers OF farm
ing will also be taught.
First of all, the development OF
upright stable character IN the stu
dents will be kept in view. Indus
try, patience, thrift, cooperation, tidel-
ity and honesty will be taught
at is also proposed to have short
courses for farmers to teach them
better methods. Institutes and farm
ers conferences will be held, and
through extension work as wide a
range of territory will be covered as
is practical. Courses in the preser-
walton of fruits and other foods, can
ming ETC., will be given.
"The Tuskegee idea in training
young men to self-support through
practical labor as part of their
school work will be emphasized
Students will be trained in the fun
damental branches in a neighborins
academy now doing efficient work
under a successful Mexican educator
"Such a farm school with adequate
equipment would soon make its in
fiuence felt in every State of Mexico
1t is the quickest way to counterfeit
the movement toward the city. In
the long run it would have a strong
influence on the education Of the
masses through the common schools
The peon, even now, is more sue
cessful as an Independent farmer
than many realize, Bishop Thirkield
added.