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President Roosevelt feels that the success of the country lies in supporting farmers and improving their social conditions where needed. In light of this, he invites Charles Simon Barrett to serve on the Commission of Country Life, which will report on the living conditions on the farm and suggest the means of improving rural life.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-11
President Roosevelt feels that the success of the country lies in supporting farmers and improving their social conditions where needed. In light of this, he invites William A. Beard to serve on the Commission of Country Life, which will report on the living conditions on the farm and suggest the means of improving rural life.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-11
Wallace Batchelder informs Frank Harper that the County Committee of the Y.M.C.A. does not have anything particular they wish Theodore Roosevelt to talk about at the banquet, but lists individualism, religious denominationalism, and the lack of multigenerational farming as their current societal concerns. Batchelder informs Harper of the travel plans for Roosevelt for his trip to Vermont.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-12
President Roosevelt discusses the importance of improving social and economic conditions for farmers, arguing that “with the single exception of the conservation of our natural resources, which underlies the problem of rural life, there is no other material question of greater importance now before the American people.” He asks Walter Hines Page to serve upon a Commission on Country Life.
1908-08-10
President Roosevelt thanks Walter Hines Page for his work on the Country Life Commission and emphasizes that the farmers “should feel a sense of ownership in this Commission,” and that the commission should “get in touch with and represent the farmers themselves.” He advises the commissioners to arrange for meetings of farmers so that the commission can gain insight into the needs, desires and problems of farmers and “all those who live in the open country and are intimately connected with those who do farm work.” He suggests topics such as “the efficiency of the rural schools, farmers organizations, the need of good roads, improved postal facilities” and “sanitary conditions on the farm.”
1908-11-09