The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-09-03
THE EVENING TIMES, GRAND FORKS, N. D.

was at the same date S35.591.774. the
population indicated as able to live
with comfort and prosperity on the
actually existing agricultural area Of
this country, under an intelligent sys-
tenn and fairly competent but by no
means highly scientific method of cul-
ture. rises to 642.O46.S2S. The conclu-
sion Is that II not another acre were
to be redeemed from the wilderness.
Of the soil were treated kindly and in
telligently and II industry were dis
tributed duly and popular attention
were concentrated upon the best pos
sible utilization of the one unfatling
national resource. there would be pro-
duced all necessary food for the wants
of in round numbers, 65O.O00.O00.
Failing to understand the needs Of
the hour or to appreciate the moral to
which the point. what fortune must
await us? Within twenty years 1885,
100000 people. and before the middle
of the century over 200.O00.O00 must
find room and food and employment
within the United States. Where are
they to live? What are they to do?
BY that time our mineral resources
will have been so nearly exhausted
that the industries related to them
must fall into a minor place. BY that
time It is apparent that our dream of
conquest of world markets will be
bursted bubble. Mr.. Harold Bolce has
demonstrated that the peoples of the
Orient, the hundreds of millions of
Japan and China, with their initiative
quality, their proved ability to oper-
ate modern machinery and to create
it in their own workshops after once
using it. their enormous supply Of
coal and iron. their limitless cheap
labor and their patience like that of
fate, are prepared to control the mar
kets of the future They must control
as against the policy which has estab-
lished domestic conditions in manufac-
turing business. on lines which make
production SO expensive an affair that
we could not hope to meet the me-
chanic of Germany on even terms and
must return before the despised
Chinaman. 1t is a mathematical fact
that within twenty years under pres
ent conditions our wheat crop will not
be sufficient for home consumption and
seed. without leaving bushel for ex-
port. viii these coming millions go
into the factories? But where can
we then expect to sell shop products
in world of competition. and who
will furnish the pay rolls? All indus
try stops when these are not forth
coming. That is the dead wall against
which England stands dismayed.
Let us be warned in time. On every
side there is menace If our national
activity be not reorganized on the
basis Of the old-fashioned common
sense. The safety valve for older
peoples has been found in emigration.
Their very relief has contributed to
our danger. The United States cannot
follow their example. 1t is against the
genius of our people; and besides. the
circle of the Northern Hemisphere"
is closed. At home the problem must
be worked out: and its terms have
been clearly stated.
The conclusion reached points out
and emphasizes national duty so i'm
perative that it should take precedence
of all else. 1t is the foe that has
overthrown civilizations as proud as
prosperous and far more strongly
fortified than our own. Nothing can
stop the onward march of natures
laws or close the iron Jaws of her
necessities when they open to crush
their victims. Either we shall under
stand our situation and make such
provision as her benignancy affords
to meet 1t. or We shall meet conditions
of overcrowding and artificial stand
ards and food and employment in ade-