The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1907-05-13
The winning Of the Southwest.

If Theodore Roosevelt, author Of
1.-THE Winning of the West" is as much
worried over what to do with himself
when he retires from the presidency
as many anxious citizens seem to be-
he may find refuge IN writing supple
mentary work on the winning of the
southwest. Since Mr.. Roosevelt wrote
his earlier study the greet southwest
has been coming into its own. In fact
one might almost say that the real de-
velopment of the southwest has taken
place during the Roosevelt administra
tons. This development, however, has
nothing to do with politics. There is
such vast opportunity in the south
western part of the United States that
not even financial panic or an orii-
nary war could arrest the growth
Not only do the citizens of our elder
states take advantage of the south
western opportunities, but at last the
Immigrants are beginning to discover
that there is room for them on the
broad acres west of the Mississippi
and south of Mason and Dixon's line
A recent communication In the New
York Sun thus points out an interest
ing movement in the direction of de
veloping our empire on the inside:
Oklahoma, Indian Territory. Texas Ar
kansas. southeastern Kansas and south
ern Missouri combined received an in
erty last year from new settlers. These
new settlers numbered about a quarter OF
a million, and they took up about 1900. 0O0
acres Of land.
The figures adduced Of investment made
and land taken up show that the average
cost Of the land was $3.50 an acre. Had
the 80 600 new settlers shared equally in
the land taktngs the investment would
have averaged $lA for each individual
for eight acres. but many Of them ar
ranged for large farms.
The new settlers came from several
countries in Europe and chiefly from ILL.,
nois. Iowa. Ohio, Pennsylvania and Ken
lucky Residents of these states who
have made money by farming sell their
high priced land. buy cheaper land in the
southwest, move into the new country
and prepare to realize upon what they
believe to be better opportunities.
Out on the Frisco line there is an
italian colony and Swiss colony Both
have been very successful. The italian
and Swiss governments have investigated
results and signiffed their Willingness to
assist in establishing their countrymcn
in colonies in the American southwest.
General immigration Agent Hughes OF
the Frisco states that experience with
these colonists has been most satisfac-
tory. They quickly absorb American
ideas and soon learn to speak English.
They seem to be content. Schools have
been founded in the colonies, and the
children attend them and manifest an
encouraging spirit. 1t is worthy of note
that the funds possessed on arrival by
these colonists only averaged about S23
yet they took up farming and succeeded.
That is striking testimony to the Oft re-
peated assertion that America is the
land of opportunity but opportunity
only for those who are willing and able
TO work.
The growth of the southwest rapidly
accelerated in very recent years. pre-
sents field for literary cultivation
which should. appeal to Mr.. Roosevelt
or to any other wEiter who takes pride
in the forward trek of the American
race.