The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-09-01
EAST HO[OsITS OWN
WITH THE WEST
Immigrant No Longer
Seeks Interior

The South Continues the Most Ameri-
can Section Having Fewest For
eigners.
Columbus, Ind, is not destined to
lose any prestige it may have enjoyed
during the past decade from being
marked on the census maps as the
place nearest the centre of popula-
ton. The population focus probably
will remain in the vicinity after the
full results of the thirteenth census
become known, unless the estimates
of the census experts fail. Returns
received to date indicate a fairly even
growth in all directions from the
Present central point, the result of
which must be to leave the point at
is present general neighborhood
Only a small percentage of the to-
tai population has been announced
this far, but enough is shown by the
general trend to justify some general
izations. Probably the most import
ant of these is that Eastern states are
holding their own to such an extent as
to indicate that the pull of the West
will not be sufficient to disturb great
l. the present equilibrium. With some
exceptions the East is showing as
marked growth as the West. Probably
there will not be as pronounced gain
in individual cases, but the average
bids fair to be almost if not quite as
good.
! MANUFACTURING UPHOLDS EAST.
The Eastern growth is attributable
in the main to the development of
manufacturing enterprises along the
Northern seaboard Up to date the
full population of only two States,
Rhode Island and Oklahoma. one East
and the other West, has been an
nounced. The increase in Oklahoma,
mounting to 100 per cent over 1900,
| is phenomenal, and is no indication of
the rate of growth either in the West
or in the country at-large. That of
Rhode Island is more characteristic
of natural growth in other sections
similarly situated. Still, Rhode Island
with her 2G6 per cent of gain, is be-
lieved to be considerably above the
average. If the Rhode Island increase
should be maintained the country
would show total of 96000O00 peo-
pie, whereas only about 9O,O00,00O are
counted upon.
Oklahoma's vast augmentation is
due to its attainment of statehood and
to the opening up of new and rich
territory. The same conditions dc
not exist elsewhere, for even though
Arizona and New Mexico are coming
in as new states, neither of them pre-
sents the attractions of Oklahoma, il
the way of newly-available soil. Many
sections of the West however, will dc
credit to the traditions of that re-
gion. Western Texas for instance, will
show a marked gain, as will the State
of Washington, in both urban anC
rural districts. In Oregon, Portland
is sure to make big showing as are
Los Angeles, Berkeley and Oakland, il
California.
MINING STATES SLACKEN PACE
The mining states of the intermoun.
tain region probably will suffer some
what from the failure to develop i'm.
portant new camps within the pas
decade. Mining has not fallen off as
an industry, but as rule it is the
boom conditions attending rich dis
the mountains. Nevada alone meets
these conditions, and several new anC
important towns will be added as 6
result of mining developments in thai
State. Colorado and Utah will show
a healthy growth, as will also the two
Dakotas. New irrigation enterprises
Will HSlp Oul III ludllbB MOnld1d AIT
Wyoming
Comparisons will be in the interest
of Nebraska. not only because there
have been credtable additions but
because of the poor showing made in
1900 due to the padding of the cen
sus of 1890.
Not so much is expected of Iowa as
this state has lost heavily to other
Western States and to Canada. Por-
tions Of Minnesota, Wisconsin and H.
linois have suffered from like cause
The high price of farm lands and the
tendency of wellto-do people toward
small families are the two principal
reasons for this falling away.
FOREIGN IMMIGRATION GREAT
FACTOR
The comparatively good showing in
the Eastern states is due more to for
eign immigration than to natural ad-
dition to the native stock. There, as
in the West, the disposition in certain
classes, is to hold the family down to
tho minimum with the raeu1t that tho