'1
TIIE MORNING OREGONIAN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3. 1908.
10
SEEK TO LIGHTEN
FARMERS LIS
Roosevelt's Uplift Commission
Hears Discussion of Rural
Life in Oregon.
TWO HEARINGS ARE HELD
Many Suggestions Are Made to the
Kastern Visitors Who Attend At
ternoon Session of Northwest
Fruitgrowers' Aesoclatlon.
Better conditions for the farmer and
farmer's wife, -some method of doing
away with tho isolation and drudgery of
the farm, better markets for farm prod
ucts. DroDer sanitation for farm homes.
education for farmers" children that will
make home life attractive to them all
these objects and more, are proposed to
be accomplished by President Roosevelt
In sending out his Farmers' Uplift Com
mission. A part of this commission vis
ited Portland yesterday and held two
hearings, one in the morning- and another
in the afternoon. An all-day hearing win
be held today at the Commercial Club
auditorium.
Encouraging progress was made at yes
terday's hearings. Both sessions were at
tended largely by practical farmers and
by' others well Informed on farming con
ditions in this state. Tho members of the
commission received valuable suggestions
that will be embodied in their report to
President Roosevelt, which will go In by
December H.
Members of the Commission.
Members of the commission to visit
"Portland are: L. H. Bailey, president.
New York, and W. A. Beard, Sacramen
to, Cal. Attached to the Commissioners
bv order of the President are: E. W.
Allen, of th Agricultural Department.
Washington, D. C. and C. W. Stiles,
physician of the Marine Service.
Mr. Beard has long been prominent in
the development of the Sacramento Val
ley, and he Is chairman of the executive
committee of the National Irrigation
Congress. He haa been interested In the
development of the arid lands of the
West through irrigation for years.
"I am Interested In the Irrigation move
ment as a means of promoting the wel
fare of the people of this country." he
said In an Interview yesterday. "I ex
pect that we will make the congress at
Spokane a really great event. I am anx
ious to gee grow up here In the West a
race of people that will own their own
land and the water with which It Is Irri
gated. This Independence offers the best
development of our people. We are hope
ful of making the Spokane congress a
means to that end.
"In regard to the work of the Commis
ion of Country Life, our hearings today
have been successful In bringing out prac
tical men who have good Ideas on the sub
jects to be Investigated. Our mission Is
not to establish a previously established
theory, but Is simply to Inquire Into the
conditions, so we may report them as
they actually are to President Roosevelt.
Farmers Should Hold Meetings.
"In a letter to Chairman Bailey, of the
commission. President Roosevelt has
asked that farmers throughout the coun
try get together for meetings in their
schoolhouses, or elsewhere, talk over the
disadvantages under which they work,
and frame suggestions that would help
them, for forwarding to this commission,
to be later forwarded to President Roose
velt. These meetings. President Roose
velt urges, should be held not later than
December 5."
The morrf Interesting session of the com
mission was that held yesterday after
noon at the session of the Northwest
Fruitgrowers' Association In the Wood
men Hall, Eleventh and Alder streets.
Chairman Bailey commented upon the
size of the audience and the interest die
played, saying It was one of the best au
diences to greet the commission since it
had started to hold hearings.
A very high compliment was also paid
to the fruit on display by the associa
tion. "I have seen the fruit produced by
all sections of the country," said Chair
man Bailey of the commission, "but I
have never seen anywhere fruit of such
size and beauty as you raise here."
.Present Waste of Resources.
"The resources of the land constitute
the fundamental wealth of the country,"
continued Mr. Bailey. In making his in
troductory speech to the convention.
"These resources belong to the people
and the Government is interested in their
conservation. In 40 states and territories
we have found the fertility of the soil ie
flagrantly wasted. This Is true of the
newer states of the Pacific Slope, as well
as the older settled states. Real farming
consists of conserving the soli; all other
forms of agriculture are merely exploita .
tion. Poverty and degradation follow tha
failure of the farmer to adapt himself t
the new methoils of agriculture."
Comminjoner Beard followed In a short
Introductory speech and told of the prom
ise the Irrigation movement holds for the
betterment of country life. Chairman j
Bailey then took the chair and asked for
expressions from those present on their
views of rural life and suggestions for
Improvement.
Dr. James Withycombe. director of the
experiment station at the Oregon Agncui
tural College, Corvallls. was the first to
speak, and gave it as his opinion that
more extensive agricultural education in
this state would accomplish much to
briffhlen rural life and make it attractive.
After expressing appreciation for the ap
Dolntment of the commission and the In
terest of the President in improving
farming conditions. Dr. t lthycom'oe said
In part:
Few People on Farms.
"It Is a remarkable fact that this state,
chiefly an agricultural one, should have
so small a percentage of Its population
on the farms. Taking the whole country
over, about 26 per cent of the population
are farmers. In this state the figure Is
about 33 per cent, but this is very small
for such a great agricultural state. It
shows that the people manifest a desire
to get away from the land and that they
are not contented on tne iarm.
"Better roads would, no doubt, do a
great deal to improve the environment
of the farmer. The conserving of the
fertility of the land is most important.
Only fancy, the great Inland Empire
ships wheat to the value of $10,000,000 a
year, consuming J3,000,uw worth oc nitro
ten to grow this crop without replacing
It a bit by proper agricultural methods.
This condition must be remedied or In
the end the land will be desolate and un
productive.
"Demonstration trains run y the rail
roads will do much to keep the boys on
the farms and will lighten many of the
dark features of rural life. I believe a
great work could be accomplished along
this line byjhe establishment of travel
ing agricultural schools that would go
Into the various communities and give
Instruction on improved agricultural
methods as well as In domestic science. '
Thomas Withycombe, a prominent dairy
man of Washington County, told of tue
benefits that follow the farmer who en
gages in this branch of farming.
Grange Is Great Benefuctor.
William Schulmerich. of Hillsboro, ad
vocated the Grange as a great benefactor
for the farmer. He said the extension
of this organization and the Increase of
agricultural education In the schools will
do much to benefit the farmer.
M. S. Shrock. a farmer, echoed the sug
gestion that asriculture be taught in the
public schools, expressing the belief that
if this 'be done, it would result in much
benefit to the members of the rural communities.
Frank Lee charged the. Government with
being responsible for the isolation of the
farmer's life in this state, at least. He
said corporations are allowed to acquire
large tracts of land and hold them for
investment, thus making long distances
between farms, and making life undesir
able for the farmer In localities near the
large holdings.
H. B. Miller. consul-General for the
United States at Yokohama, who was an
interested auditor, said he had observed
frequently that where farmers' homes
were bright and cheerful, with modern
methods of farming or of housekeeping,
he found Invariably that one or more
members of that household had been ed
ucated at the O.egon Agricultural College
at Corvallls.
Educational Work Important.
President Kerr, of the Oregon Agricul
tural Conege, was called on and urged the
Importance of agricultural college exten
sion work, that is. the wide introduction
of education in agriculture into the pub
lic schools. He said the Oregon Agri
cultural College faculty had decided that
the one best thing that can be done for
the betterment of the condition of the
farmer in this state is the adoption of
traveling schools that shall make a spe
cialty of agricultural and those subjects
needed toy the farmer. He said no other
appropriation by the Government would do
so much good as money used in this way.
President Kerr said he realized, how
ever, the difficulty of providing for such
a work with Federal funds.
J. W. Brown gave the opinion that com
pulsory education In agriculture in the
schools of the state would do much to
Improve farming conditions.
W. F. Hitt, who said he is a Washing
ton farmer, declared all that is needed
in his locality Is assistance In building
roads.
Dr. Bales, of Washington, said the cur
riculum of the public schools Is impracti
cal and suggested education In the line of
domestic economy. He said this would
result In better houses and more happy
farm -honres.
Sanitation Is Big Problem.
The unsanitary condition of farm houses
and surroundings was criticised by sev
eral speakers whose names were not
given. Dr. Stiles, who accompanies the
Commissioners, made a short talk on this
subject, showing that greater care should
be exercised In caring for hired help.
He said the Hindu coolie, who Is being
brought to this Coast In numbers, is, a
terriiic spreader of disease and farmers
particularly should be careful in housing
tliem for In most cases, by insufficient
care given to these laborers, the farmer
was endangering the lives of his own
family. Dr. Stiles showed that typhoid.
which Is a farm disease, but little being
contracted In the cities and that In most
cases coming from the farm, causes 103
deaths a year in this state. He showed
how proper farm sanitation would save
many of these lives.
Yestarday morning a hearing was held
n the Commercial Club auditorium at
which the subject of good roads was the
principal topic discussed. J. W. Bailey,
State Dairy and Food Commissioner, spoke
on this topic and made many suggestions.
Others talked along this same line.
An all-day hearing will be started this
morning at the Commercial Club audltor-
tim at 9:30 o clock. All who can give the
Commissioners suggestions and Informa
tion on farming conditions in this state
are urged to be present.
GOV. MEAD TALKS
ROADS
Meetings at Kalarna Largely
Attended by People of
Cowlitz County.
FARMERS ARE INTERESTED
Resolutions Passed Asking Legisla
ture to Appropriate $100,000 to
Establish Rock-Crashing Plants
to I'tlllze Convict Labor.
KALA1U, Wash., Dec. 2. (Special.)
One of the largest and most enthusi
astic gatherings ever held In Cowlitz
County was that In the Good Roads
Convention held here Tuesday. The con
vention was called to order at 2:30 this
afternoon by I. N. Belghle. vice-president
of the Good Roads Association.
The address of welcome was delivered
by Judge Kalahan. of Kalama, after
which the convention proceeded with
the usual business.
' The evening- session was devoted to
addresses, the first of which was deliv
ered by Governor Mead, who empha
sized the need of good roads and the
benefit to result from it, and said that
he wanted to use his influence with
the next legislature to build such
roads as are now proposed by the
Good Roads Association.
One of the most Interesting addresses
of the evening 'was the stereoptlcon
lecture by Samuel C. Lancaster, Gov
ernment good roads expert, who has
recently returned from Europe. Among
others who delivered interesting ad
dresses were Samuel Hill, Alfred Bat
tle, James M. Snow, A. L. Valentine, H.
F. Bronell and J. T. Ronald.
Interest and' enthusiasm marked
the proceedings from beginning to
end. Over 200 delegates from dif
ferent parts of the state were present,
besides a goodly number of farmers.
At each session the Opera House was
filled to standing room. The following
resolutions were unanimously adopted
today:
First, that the State Legislature- ap
propriate the cum of $100,000 to be
expended under the direction of the
State Highway Board for the estab
lishment of rock-crushing- plants, to be
operated by convict labor; second, that
the geological department of the State
tJniverslty be established on a perma
nent basis; third, that a sufficient fund
be appropriated by the State Legisla
ture to establish a building on the
University grounds to be occupied by
the department of highway engineer
ing and to house United States Govern
ment exhibits.
BUTTER GOES SKYWARD
HIGH PRICES SAID TO BE DUE
TO COMBINE.
Supply Larger Titan Last Year, With
Values Higher and Prospects
of Further Advances.
CHICAGO, Dec. 2. The Tribune, in a
news article, says:
Manipulation of the leading butter
markets of the country by a coterie of
Chicago, Elgin and Eastern produce
men is said to be responsible to a large
extent for the present extravagant prices
for butter. While supplies of butter are
larger than Is usually the case at this
season, values are materially higher
than a year ago, with prospects good
for further advances before there la any
relief.
Rumors of a corner In June storage
butter, which Is the best of the season's
pack, have been circulated for some time,
and while vigorously denied by the prin
cipals, the fact remains that the Btock
of choice storage butter Is tightly held,
with prices high and on the up grade.
About $10,000,000 Is said to have been
Invested in the operation.
Stocks of storage butter in the prin
cipal warehouses of the country are ap
proximately 10.000.000 pounds larger than
a year ago, and about that much larger
than two years ago, so there is appar
ently little reason for extravagantly
high values.
Whether or not there Is a corner on
the storage butter supply in the East
Is not known to the large creamery
men here, but the fr.ct remains that
prices are unusually high Just now In
Chicago and New York, and the effect
Is felt In all markets of the country.
The best fresh made creamery is held
at HO cents wholesale at Chicago and
at 32 cents at New York, with storage
butter quoted about 4 cents under
these prices. At the present time the
production of butter is at its lowest
PRACTICAL
CHRISTMAS
GIVING
Whether to present personally,
hang on a tree, put in a stock
ing or send to distant cities,
nothing in the remembrance line,
is more genuinely appreciated
than a piece of jewelry, no mat
ter if it be a mere trinket or a
diamond ornament. Search this
list. It may give you a hint.
INEXPENSIVE
Hat pins, belt pins, scarf
pins, combs, b r a c e 1 e ts,
lockets, chains, fobs,
brooches.
MODERATELY
PRICED
Sterling manicure and toi
let sets, match boxes,
cigarette cases, table sil
verware, cut glass, hand
painted china, clocks.
MEDIUM PRICE
Ladies and gentlemen's
watches, rings, umbrellas,
sterling and gold card
cases and purses ; opera
glasses.
MORE COSTLY
GIFTS
Diamond rings, studs,
scarf pins, brooches,
watches and pendants.
I will give - you quality
and low price consistent
with good business.
ARSONS ONT
Cieweler and vSilvdr jmithT'
Z34 Wahiivcfton,ytreet'
point In all the Northern states. In
the large Eastern cities there Is not
enough fresh butter available to sup
ply the demand, and storage stocks
are, therefore, being- drawn upon. This
makes advances In all grades easy.
The same thing applies to the mar
ket in this city. The output of the
best Oregon butter at this time does
not meet local requirements and the
jobbers find It necessary to resort to
Eastern butter. 1th values in tne
East fixed at an unusually high level,
it Is necessary to make local prices
correspondingly steep. This condition
will prevail until the Oregon farmers
increase their herds sufficiently to
make Oregon independent of the East
for Its butter supply at all times of
the year.
Portland butter prices today are al
most at the top notch. The whole
sale price Is 37 cents. In January
and February of last year it
was 37 Vi cents. A year ago today
the wholesale price was 35 cents,
two years ago 30 cents, three years ago
30 cents, and on 1ecember 2, In 1904,
It stood at the same figure. In none
of those years, except 1907, was the
present price reached.
As the storage supply in the East Is
being- steadily reduced and the make
of fresh butter will not become heavy
for many weeks yet, it is probable the
people who have the making of the
price in the Eastern markets will force
their quotations still higher. If they
do, the Coast markets are likely to
respond.
Policy About to Expire.
BUTTE, Mont., Dec. 2. The Coroner's
Jury in the case of W. H. True, the New
York life insurance agent who com
mitted suicide here Monday, yesterday re
turned a verdict of suicide, due to de
spondency. It developed that True shot
himself a few hours before a policy on
his life for linoo expired.
Tom Marshall, of MisKoula, Is here to
take charge of the remains, which will
be sent to Norman T. Davis, of Louis
ville, Ky., a brother-in-law.
COUNTRY LIFE COMMISSION NAMED BY PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT, THAT REACHED PORTLAND YESTERDAY,
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THE
UWDMY
EVENING POST
An Illixt"d Weekly Magaxine
Fmnded ,P78 t& Benj. Franklin
DECEMBER 5. 1908
3S
FIVE CENTS THE COPY
CHRISTMAS NUMBER
FIFTY-SIX PAGES
of CKristmas stories, poems,
and special articles, of wHicH
some are named below
The Last Christmas Tree
By James Lane Allen
The author of "The Kentucky Cardinal" and
"The Choir Invisible" haswritten, in thisChrist
mas idyl, a story that will entrance every reader
by its rich imagery and poetic conception.
It is the first magazine story published by Mr.
Allen in eleven years the first published word
of his that has appeared in the last five years.
The Thin Santa Claus
By Ellis ParKer Butler
Why Mrs. Gratz was awakened on Christmas
morning by a great silence ; why she didn't like
a "taking-away" Santa Claus; why the toober
chlosis bugs freeze up in the winterand getbrittle
and bust into a thousand pieces all is told in
the drollest Christmas story published in years:
a story in which the author of PIGS IS PIGS
proves that sometimes chickens is chickens.
The Triple Cross
By George Randolph Chester
One of the best stories that Mr. Chester ever
wrote. It tells how Get-Rich-Quick Walling
ford made his first visit to New York, and how
peevish he became over the coarse and un
imaginative methods of New York's confi
' dence men and green-goods brokers.
"Pardon, You Are
Mademoiselle Girard!"
By Leonard MerricK
All Paris was hunting for Mademoiselle Girard.
On the boulevards, in the cafes and shops, was
heard on all sides, "Pardon, you are Madem
oiselle Girard ?" Young men resigned promising
occupations to engage in the search. No lady,
comely or uncomely, providing she was young,
was free from the accusing, "Pardon, you are
Mademoiselle Girard !" Who found Mademoi
selle Girard is disclosed in one of the most
interesting stories of the year.
The Pedigree Hunters
By E. L. Bacon
To meet Catharine the Great in the Subway, or
to see Henry the Eighth, with a wooden leg,
begging alms on lower Broadway, is not so
amazing when you reflect that in America there
must be tens of thouf ands descendants of kings
of that period and earlier. Some astonishing
stories connected with the search for ancestors
are revealed in this article.
The Sleeping Column
By Brand WhitlocK
In the Sleeping Column the Mayor of Toledo
tells a remarkable story of a Southern boy,
who was not a spy, yet served in both the
Union and Confederate armies, and was per
sonally mentioned by the two leading generals
of the opposing forces.
A Tug and a
Daughter-in-Law
By Ernest Pool
A story "of ropes and things, and ships upon
the seas." Also of a young waterman ashamed
of his job and his dad ; a nice girl ashamed of
the boy, and a wise old tug-boat captain wholly
shameless in his efforts to make a man of his
son and a daughter-in-law of the nice girl. A
Christmas story of a spot in Greater New York
where the hive-dwellers have neighbors.
What Happens at
Rehearsals By Channing PoIIocK
The astonishing trivial incidents that make or
break a play are more numerous than the
holder of a parquet seat dreams of. In this
article you are taken behind the scenes and
shown all the intimate and interesting secrets
that never get over the footlights.
nscma
s Number
$1.50 tho year
by mail .
56 PAGES
5c. tho copy of all
newsdealers
Our Boys are Everywhere
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