Training Conference for L. H. Bailey 



Rural Leaders 

 Cornell University 

 July 26, 27, 1911 



The Survey-Idea in Country-Life Work 



It is commonly understood that there is a positive 

 national problem lying in the present condition of 

 country life. Rural affairs are not sufficiently repre- 

 sented in the voice of the people. The domination of 

 national policies lies with the cities or with the types 

 of associate and corporate interests that center 

 chiefly in the cities, and which tend to exploit or at 

 least to overlook the open country. 



Many processes are suggested for the general 

 regeneration of rural affairs. Each of these proc- 

 esses has its strong advocates. The tendency is to 

 project many separate processes or methods which, 

 although they may all be excellent in themselves, 

 tend to separate into divergent and unrelated lines 

 of effort. We are not to hold that any one way of at- 

 tacking the rural problem is fundamental and that 

 others are unimportant. Perhaps every method that 

 has been suggested is essential. But whatever the 

 means and movements, the scientific method must 

 prevail. The scientific method is first to determine 

 the exact facts, and then to found the line of action 



544145 



