MEETINGS 55 



ranged and some of the information tabulated in 

 a preliminary way by the Census Bureau. In 

 addition to the replies to the circulars, great 

 numbers of letters and carefully written state- 

 ments have been received, making altogether an 

 invaluable body of information, opinion and sug- 

 gestion. 



THE HEARINGS. 



Hearings were held at thirty places by the 

 whole Commission, or part of it, between No- 

 vember 9 and December 22, 1908; and frequently 

 two or more long sessions were held. Very full 

 notes were taken of the proceedings. They were 

 attended by good audiences, in some instances 

 overflowing the hall. At several, especially in 

 the Northwest, delegates were in attendance rep- 

 resenting associations and communities in the 

 vicinity, who were anxious to present their views 

 and needs. Speeches were numerous and usually 

 short and pithy, and represented every sort of 

 person concerned with rural life, including many 

 women, who contributed much to the domestic 

 and educational aspects of the subject. The 

 governors and principal officials of the states 



