The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-08-04
DISPENSING POPULATION.

Not improbaby the next quarter of century may
see distinct counter that which has for
long drawn population from the country feed the
cities The influences at work this direction are two
Old the increase of attractiveness in country life by
making of good roads the multiplication of trolley lines,
the eheapenng and general of motor vehicles and the
establishment of rural mail deliveries the hand
and the other the desire of large enterprises to
move their manufacturing plants from the larger to the
smaller centers of the country
The latter process has already made considerable adj
vance One could mention long list OF concerns that
have removed from the city to the country the vii
lage on economic grounds. They pay much smaller
taxes. They able lay down their material at
their doors and carry away the finished product at eos
SO little enhanced that there is balance actual
saving III the profit and loss Then the cond-
ton and hence the labor efficiency of the employees is
immensely improved They live in comfortable homes
tor what they would have to in the crowded tene
ments of the city The auremens of vice are less fire.
quent and enticng Purer air. better food and adj
equate shelter all contribute give the employer great
from the labor of the man at the same
wage.
Another consideration is beginning powerfully
The Illinois Central Railroad company reported to- be
considering the building of its shops Louis
vile rather than in Chicago in order get of the
atmosphere of labor troubles It is not SO much that
the company apprehends any trouble directly with its
own men, but Chicago is constantly the of
dispute either between capital and labor between
rival labor organizations themselves. At any moment
by the sympathetic strike these may spread employees
who have no demands grievances OF their own. And
when trouble does arise it is complicated and settlement
is made troublesome by the intervention of the
feeling Of of outsiders and by the difficulty of
maintaining order in a large city
These facts of modern life will beyond doubt ex-
ercise powerful influence upon the future distribution
OF population in this country All the strong arguments
are favor of greater dispersion of industry and of
the people to whom it gives employment. There will be
exodus from the cities. They will continue to grow
and to prosper; but their ratio of growth will be more
nearly that of the country whole. We look to see
check upon the tendency shown by census
statistics for the cities to absorb than entire
increase of population stripping the rural districts fill
their crowded streets Towns and villages and amets
will gain in proportion.
Nor can any one deny that this change would be
greatly to the benefit of the whole people OF the country
industraly physically and morally That which philan-
thropists and reforers have preached unavalngly will
be brought about most benefcent changes the
long by the operation of great irresistible kindly
and superumany wise laws; that when not inerfered
with direct the development of nations and determine
their economic prosperity and their growth character
well as in wealth and power