The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-28
EMIGRATION soUTHwEsTwARD.

great surface indication Of the trend Of American
life is the rapid peopng of the Southwest The proc
ess Of filling this expanse Of territory Is suddenly,
1t may be said, increased and accelerated. During
the eighteen months past the volume Of emigration
has sweled to double and almost triple its former
size.
Roughly estimated, there billion of pub
lie lands in the United States. in addition to those be-
longing to the Individual States the larger and
attractive portion Of which lies to the southwesward.
This section, largely for climatic and typographical
reasons is susceptible Of greater variety of indus
tries than any other in the United States and per-
haps in the world: and is second in produc-
tiyity; yet, owing circumstances and conditions
now removed, and to its former comparative remote
ness from the great ceners and recruiting points of
population the Southwest was virtually ignored
From condition of comparative obscurity it has
become the object of American interest. So recently
has it emerged to speak, that it presents aspect
of inviting newness That aspect is attested by the
activity in migration the wholesale transfer of popu
ation TO that domain.
The Southwest is practically undeveloped Only
the indcia Of Its agricultural and Industrial power
shown Industry there is in that condition suggested
by commercial phrase, TT has the field behind it,
The field" of the Southwest is the potential force
which nsures growth to enterprise and undertaking.
1t is the demand which for many years has found
no adequate response, the resources which have at
tanned expression in development the natural
power that has not been harnessed, the commercial
opportunity that awaits push"
With all its old difficulties and obstacles removed,
with the element Of distance eliminated, with condi
lions Of life leveed up conditions elsewhere, with
accessible markets waiting upon its industry and
with its demonstrated possibilities and aluring
breadth Of opportunity made widely known, it is
small wonder that the Southwest is now attracting
millions Of emigrans.
The sudden influx Of population Is perceptble in
the life Of the cities and towns and rural territory
generally throughout the region. Business has followed
the tide of population and millions of dollars
stantly pouring into the countrys development. Rail
road building and extension carried upon
a scale hitherto unknown, and the staple industries
have assumed expanded proportions.
Estimates made six months ago put the number
of emigrants for 19O313O4 at 100000 families ap-
proximately million persons, and the record since
then has fully justified this hgure trpling the record
for the previous twelve months During the next
year there will be new influences adding to those
which induce population southwestward notably the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition The great increase
in foreign immigration will also, to some extent
stimulate the westward trend The congestion caused
by one million immigrants must have some outlet, and
the great Southwest is the objective point of the big
proportion of those who forsake the crowded East
and the cold Northwest