FIELD OF INQUIRY 49 



METHODS PURSUED BY THE COMMISSION. 



The field of inquiry has been the general social, 

 economic, sanitary, educational and labor con- 

 ditions of the open country. Within the time at 

 its disposal, the Commission has not been able to 

 make scientific investigations into any of these 

 questions, but, following the suggestion of the 

 President, has endeavored to give "a summary 

 of what is already known, a statement of the 

 problem, and the recommendation of measures 

 looking towards its solution." We have been 

 able to make a rather extensive exploration or 

 reconnoissance of the field, to arrive at a judgment 

 as to the main deficiencies of country life in the 

 United States today, and to suggest some of the 

 means of supplying these deficiencies. 



The Commission and its work have met with 

 the fullest cooperation and confidence on the part 

 of the farmers and others, and the interest in the 

 subject has been widespread. The people have 

 been frank in giving information and expressing 

 opinions, and in stating their problems and dis- 

 couragements. There is every evidence that the 

 people in rural districts have welcomed the 

 Commission as an agency that is much needed 



