THE NATUEE OF THE PROBLEM 



IF the betterment of rural conditions is 

 a process of evolution, then all persons 

 who are to be concerned in the evolution 

 must take active part in it if they are to 

 enjoy the benefits of the progress; and I 

 like to think that each person will enjoy 

 these benefits in about the proportion that 

 he actively participates in the work of re- 

 construction. That is to say, we all bear a 

 natural responsibility, as citizens, to for- 

 ward the rural status as well as the urban 

 status; and this responsibility rests spe- 

 cially on all those who are near the problem 

 or are a part of it. The countryman must 

 not be one of a recipient or receptive class, 

 but he must himself promptly help and co- 

 operate to solve the rural problems and to 

 discharge his full obligations to society. 

 This is in large part the theme of the book. 

 Even a farm is not a private business in 

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