The progressive farmer and southern farm gazette., 1910-10-22
" What's The News?"

to death, thousands homeless, millions of dollars
properly destroyed-principally entirely, be-
of the economy" that forbade the spending
ing of few thousands of dollars for the preven-
tion of forest fires Yet some of our Southern
newspapers complacently tell us that such fires can
not happen in the South, entirely ignoring the
fact that even if spared these great fires,
our annual loss by smaller amounts to mil
lions.
The new census figures showing some re-
markabe things. One of the most interesting is
the great increase in the population of many
Southern cities. In 1900 Birmingham had 49,
415 people; in 1910 132685. Atlanta increased
in the same time from S9,S72 to 154,S39, and
Richmond from S5,05O to 1888 New Orleans
now has 339,075 people against 2S7,1O4 ten years
ago; while San Antonio, Texas, nearly doubled in
population and Fort Worth almost trebled. These
gains are, most of them phenomenal, and while
in some the effort to annex "all the territory
that joins them," accounts for much of the in
crease, the figures still tell wonderful story of
the development of Southern cities. The big cities
all over the country have, as rule, made heal
thy growth, sometimes startling one, as in the
of Detroit Mich, which gained over SO per
cent. The country districts however, tell far
different tale The rural population has actually
decreased in such great agricultural States Mis-
souri, and Iowa. The same is true in Michigan, in
Delaware, in Vermont; and while it is not believed
that any Southern State will show an actual de-
crease, there is probability that the growth of
the country districts will be anything in proper
tion to that of the towns In other words, not
only has the comparative gain of the cities the
country probably exceeded that of any decade in
history, but there has been cessation of rural
growth that is at once suggestive and alarming.
Thoughtful men have long been telling us that our
governmental policies, whole, favored the
cities at the expense of the country, and these
figures go far to sustain their contention. In this
same connection may be mentioned the interesting
fact that in the last eight months, for the first
time in American history, manufactured goods
comprised over half the total exports. This is
well it is always we'll to export the finished
product rather than the raw materials; but is it
not time to cease the policy of protecting these
manufacturers at the expense of the agricultural
producers?
The new Republic of Portugal appears to be
firmly established There have been some riots,
directed mostly against the religious ORDERS but
the government to have been able to put
them down. OF course, no one knows yet what
the end may be. Spain continues an armed camp,
the King and his forces waiting with grim expect
ancy anticipated outbreak
The death rate Of the United States is slowly
but steadily decreasing. For last year it is esti-
mated at 15 to the 1000. The highest in cities
of over 900 population is that of New Or
leans, 20.2; the lowest that of st. Paul, Minn.,
11.4 Statistics for the rural districts yet
little more than estimates.
In New York Mr.. Hearsts Independent League
has nominated John j. Hopper for Governor, while
Mr. Hearst contents himself with the nomination
for Lieutenant Governor.
Speaking last Wednesday at Hot Springs, Ark.
Mr. Roosevelt stated that he is in favor of the
National Government helping to drain swamp
lands.
Mr.. Roosevelt has been making campaign
speeches in Missouri and Indiana and is now in