The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-27
RESOURCES OF IOWA
Make 1T GREAT STATE
It Is Entitled TO Class as One of
the Great Commonwealth OF
the Country

This is one of the biggest States in the
whole world. L guess" said an old Iowa
farmer on a Northwestern Line train speed
ing across that commonwealth through
succession OF beautiful villages, prosperous
cities and a smiling country Of rich and
rolling prairie farms. Sleek stock and well
filed barns. waving corn and wide meadow
lands, made a car-window panorama OF
typical Iowa scenery.
1--WE have been pretty busy out here for
few years past. and we have been max
ing some money" he threw one knee over
the other and proceeded with what for him
was a long speech. We have been savin'
some money, lendin' some more, and our
debts amt enough to worry us-not by
quite a consid' Table
What the old gentleman said as the train
rushed along is undoubtedly amply backed
up by the facts. The passenger Depart
ment of the Chicago * Northwestern line
is publishing statements from such people
as Governor Cummins. Ex-Congressman
Perkins Of the Sioux City Journal and
others that bear out in full the quiet and
businesslike enthusiasm Of the old farmer.
Secretary Wilson Of the Agricultural De-
partment says of Iowa that the State will
produce this year 221. 10000 bushels of corn.
the second largest production in the United
States; that it stands first in the produc-
ton OF oats, and second in the production
and acreage of hay 6.600.00O tons on
1900, 900 acres).
"The total area under the principal crops
in Iowa during the past year was nearly
seventeen million acres. the total value
of live stock on farms about two hundred
and twenty-seven million dollars" says
the Secretary, land Notwithstanding the
somewhat poor season OF last year. the
farmers are everywhere in a prosperous
condition"
The Secretarys view of prosperity in his
home state is echoed by Governor Cummins.
THE percentage Of the entire area of the
State that can be probably used for ag-
r1cultural purposes, says the Governor,
far exceeds that of any other State in
total value of soil products for the year
estimated at $230,O00,000 and live stock on
farms estimated at 500 100000. 1T neces-
sarily follows that the people Of the State
are prosperous, happy and contented."
Hon. Lafayette Young, Of the Daily Cap
ital, Des MOines, says:
Iowa stands with a record Of fifty years
without a crop failure. eliminating with
a bountiful yield for 1903, with everybody
busy and preparing for another busy year
Bank deposits are strong. The people
have invested literally in enterprises out
side the state, ana during the past nve
years have invested in more substantial
Improvements than during any previous
period of three times that duration"
Ex-Representative George u. Perkins, OF
the Sioux City Journal says:
I'm my judgment the people OF Iowa
were never more prosperous than now.
The year has put to the test the States
producing capacity, and our people are
in better financial condition than ever be-
fore.
1.-The agricultural outlook was never
brighter the soil is In admirable condition
for a bumper crop IN 1904.
Il believe that what Is true OF Iowa is
true of the neighboring States. South Da-
kota has had by far the most prosperous
year in her history"
Mr.. Perkins voices the comfortable feel
ing that is found throughout the West and
Northwest.
Railways such as the Chicago & North
western, are giving the West the best trans
portatiOn service ever enjoyed by any re-
| gion. The heavy trainlOads OF grain and
| live stock, Of products OF the forest and
mine, bound for Chicago and the East.
are being supplemented to a degree never
before known by the finished products OK
| rapidly growing manufacturing interests
| that are springing up in the towns and
| cities of the Northwest. This wealth bear
| ing stream of products passes en- route
/ thousands OF west-bound homeSeekers and
| colonists, trudging beside the SOW moving
OK team no longer, but travelling instead
on low rate tickets on fast trains and
in comfort for which Western roads such
| as the Northwestern line are famed afar.