Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-03-25

Valley. 1t is estimated that within
radius of 25 miles are grown two.
fifths of all the hops produced in the
world. The same statement is proba.
bly, true of the mohair and prune crop
so far as the United States is con.
cerned. In available water powers
and opportunities for manufactures
the three counties of which Salem is
the center are iucalculable.
The crops of small fruit that are
grown and shipped from this point are
increasing annually and include all
kinds of berries and cherries They
can be grown here in quality and guam
tity and equal for canning and ship
ping superior to any in the world. The
annual shipments of apples and pota-
toes and Cascara bark amount to hun.
dreds of ear loads. The entire pro-
duet of one orchard was packed and
handled last year by Hood River firm
under their own famous labels. A
large undeveloped region of Marion
county extending from the Santiam
river above Mehama to Silverten is
the best adapted region for growing
high grade winter apples to be found
in the West today. The entire
stretch of country from Scott's Mills
to Falls City east and west and from
jefferson to North Yamhill, north and
south is region without parallel in
productiveness whether it be big red
apples, big hearted and brainy men or
radiently beautiful flowers and women.
From climatic standpoint this region
is blest beyond power of description.
To the rich atmosphere of a region en-
closed by mountains, is added the
highly perfumed humidity of an
ocean atmosphere.
Through a gap in the coast noun
tain range come the ozone-leden, invig-
Grating breezes of tho Pacific ocean.
This is the ideal place for any Ameri-
can to call his home. Here are the
mountains, the forests, the mines, the
fisheries, the fruits of the land and
the productions of the sea. Here is
the inspiration and the opportunity TO
greater, freer, easier life than the
east can ever afford Take our soft
climate, our gentle winds, our great
vistas, the seasons merging slowly
into one another without abrupt
changes, the air perfumed by odorous
plants and we have perfect paradise
in material way. The variety of
produetiveness is almost infinite. Prac-
tically, literally, absolutely and indis-
putably, the crops never fail. Ours is
the land where labor gets its sure re-
ward and where if you do not want
to lead the strenuous life, the soul it's
self can expand and loaf and take its
ease. This goodly land is beginning
to be appreciated by the people of the
east as never before 1t will be over
flowing with the choicest population of
our sister states. 1t will be honey
combed with enterprises and grid
ironed with trolley lines. It's pure at
mosphere is not yet tainted by the
dingy smoke of crude oil or bituminous
oil. Our pure mountain streams will
flow forever clear and sparkling from
their glacial fountains. Our soil, re-
freshed by the never-failing showers
| 1ur;uu tha roiny ooaoono will uavar
be exhausted Our forests are grow
, ing faster than they are being con
sumed. The confidence and spirit of
enterprise among our people has only
begun to be awakened Who can fore
east the future possibilities of such
u regiong
consider sound finance one of the
best means of municipal development.
When we are inviting immigration and
! Offering inducements for the invest
ment of capital in our midst, we should
be able to guarantee that the public
revenues will be intelligently admin
istered and honestly accounted for. we
can justly claim for the city of Salem
not only first class municipal system,
but sound financial condition. The
city has total debt of $220,lsl. De
ducting $61sl of street bonds that have
been paid of there would be left net
city debt of $2l4,00O. We must add
TO this, $27, $50 of school district bonds,
the first of which are not due until
1901. This makes total indebtedness
resting upon this community Of SPA
$50, Estimating our population at 49,
600, which / believe is conservative,
It would give us per capita indebt'
edness of less than $l9. Allowing the
city Of Portland TO have 100000 pOpu
A. 4 aafaaHI