Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1910-10-14
VERMONT IN 1910.

NermOnts increase Of Sc per cent in
population does not cut a figure as deep
al a well or as wide as a church door on
the statistical page, but It is enough to
answer conclusively the canard sent
broadcast over the country through the
medium of the New York Times to the
effect that the state had decreased de-
cidedly in the number Of its inhabitants
and that "only two or three towns in the
state had increased in population" The
plain fact is that Vermont shows a very
handsome, healthy and substantial indus
trial development, but that the deser-
tions from the farms, noted for many
years, have not been checked. The figures
in detail will be found on page Of this
paper
The statistics show that the back to
the soil" slogan is as yet a far cry in the
wilderness. Less than a dozen purely ag
ricutural towns in the state have held
their own in population The gains which
are noted here and there in small towns
are due to some industrial development.
For instance, Westminster advances as
result Of the overflow from Bellows Falls
close to the boundary line, and Vernon
shows a slight increase due to the de-
velopment Of a big power plant on the
Connecticut river. The losses in the
farming sections are not peculiar to Yer
mont. The same conditions will be found
in the rural regions Of Maine and New
Hampshire and in the more thickly popu-
lated states like Massachusetts and Con-
necticut. Even Missouri and Iowa show
the same tendency. In the exodus from
4.
number Of producers and an increase in
the number Of consumers Of food products
we find one Of the big factors in the in
creased cost Of living. 4 readjustment Of
these conditions within the next few years
is inevitable. for the reason that farm life
holds out greater possibilities Of financial
returns today than in many years. Peo-
pie in some cases leave the farms to give
their children better opportunities for
education but more frequently it is the
social side which induces change. There
is a fascination in the congregated life,
which unfortunately many people will not
leave with the prospect of plenty, comfort,
less physical and mental wear and greater
peace Of mind offered to them in life in
the country than in the city.
In solving the problem every encourage
ment possible should be offered to the
| people now on the farms to stay where
! they are. Education in methods of farm
ing. better schools and good roads to make
! access to the village and cities easier
| will all help. The Grange is doing a great
work today in making the social life Of the
! farmers more attra ctlve. and the rural
| delivery and the telephone in keeping the
people in touch with the pulsations Of the
world at large remove to some extent the
| feeling Of isolation.
Brattleboro's increase from 6G4o to 754I
is not as large as expected. as the board
Of trade canvass four years ago led to tbs
belief that the population now would be
upwards Of 5000. 1t is very unfortunate
| that the official enumeration was taken il
such a way as 10 make many people doub
| its accuracy. but it is too late now to g
! back OF the returns Officially Brattle
boro is down as having 7541 inhabitants
In this local field there is every reason TO
facing the situation cheerfully and hope
fully. The big cotton mill, which vii
bring at least 1000 more people here
seems assured. Brattleboro is unques
tonably destined to make the creates
advance in its history in the next 10 years
In the state at large the situation is on
to cause neither elation nor depression
Vermont has done better than in either o
the two previous decades, and 1t faces tn
future with resolution, determined t
make the most OF its opportunities
whether they are offered in agriculture
in the development Of mineral resource
or water powers, or in the promotion c
industrial enterprises. Better than an
numerical increase is the awakenin
which has come TO Vermont people in tn
past ten years. The spirit Of the time
has touched them, and they are toda
confident, determined, progressive. Th
change in the mental attitude is the mos
hopeful sign in the state at the preser
time. The future is rich in encourage
ment and promise.