The Country Life Commission made the following specific recommendations to Congress:
The encouragement of a system of thoroughgoing surveys of all agricultural regions in order to take stock and to collect local facts, with the idea of providing a basis on which to develop a scientifically and economically sound country life.
The encouragement of a system of extension work in rural communities through all the land-grant colleges with the people at their homes and on their farms.
A thoroughgoing investigation by experts of the middleman system of handling farm products, coupled with a general inquiry into the farmer’s disadvantages in respect to taxation, transportation rates, cooperative organizations and credit, and the general business system.
An inquiry into the control and use of the streams of the United States with the object of protecting the people in their ownership and of saving for agricultural uses such benefits as should be reserved for such purposes.
The establishing of a highway engineering service, or equivalent organization, to be at the call of the states in working out effective and economical highway systems.
The establishing of a system of parcels post and postal savings banks.
The providing of some means or agency for the guidance of public opinion toward the development of a real rural society that shall rest directly on the land.
The enlargement of the United States Bureau of Education, to enable it to stimulate and coordinate the educational work of the nation.
Careful attention to the farmers’ interests in legislation on the tariff, on regulation of railroads, control or regulation of corporations and of speculation, legislation in respect to rivers, forests and the utilization of swamp lands.