The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1911-06-23

became more pleased with herself re
Gently when the Union Pacific an
nounced that $75,000,000 was to b.
spent to double track the Union Pa
cific system from Omaha west to tn,
Pacific coast. A short time later whel
Gerrit Fort, passenger traffic manage
OF the system, told the world that 81,
100000, the greatest amount ever up
propriated by any one concern for /;
like purpose, was to be expended il
telling the world of the advantage!
of Idaho and the rest of the UnioI
Pacific territory, Idaho took on ever
a more satisfied smile and chuckled
Before they found out what a grea
water supply had and what my lands
would do, these double tracks weren,
needed and they didn't think of adver
Using on such scale. l had a bis
part in it,"
idaho did have a big part in oul
plans" said Mr.. Fort. IN fact it was
the possibilities of Idaho and other
parts of our territory that caused this
big appropriation to be made. Then
too, the great exhibits of the United
States Land & Irrigation Exposition
company at the Coliseum in Chicago
and the Western Land Products Elk
position held in Omaha opened our
eyes wide. The way the people
crowded into those immense build
ings and gathered about the ex-
hibits Of the wonderful fruit and grain
products took our breath away. 1t
was the land hunger that also helped
do it.
Did Not Know Where to Go.
"You know" continued Mr.. Fort,
that six-tenths of the people who go
to the newer states in search of farm
homes or new locations for business
come from Chicago and Omaha terri
tory. Government statistics tell us
that These people. many of theyn,
are not satisfied with their present
conditions. They make good wages,
but they cannot save much, for the ex.
penses Of the city take away the mon
ey almost as fast as it is possible to
make 1t. Consequently the land shows
gave them an opportunity to find the
new home.
When we began our plans for this
exposition we discovered that in the
far Northwest and in the South and
Southwest there was a strong com.
munity spirit prevailing, and the PEG.
pie were working together to send the
best they produced to Chicago and
Omaha. Then we went into our own
territory in Idaho and looked it over.
Much of this spirit was lacking. That
meant that Idaho was not to have
adequate representation.
I'VE people of the Union Pacific
know what Idaho can do, and so do
the men and women of this state, but |
the East, especially In the vicinity of |
Chicago, know little. 1t was getting
along close to the time when quick
action was necessary and so we cent
men out into Idaho, who gathered up
he best of the fruits and cereals, the
inest grasses and the records Of the
wonderful yields. All of the products
we're packed in Union Pacific cars and
lent to Chicago and Omaha free Of
'harge. and there placed in the Idaho
'ooth of the Union Pacific, where
hey attracted widespread attention.
Only Few Years from Desert.
idaho Is one of the newest of the
eclaimed states, and yet we secured
roducts Of the soil which were the
uperior of any grown in the midwest
I'm states 1t is less than a decade
lnce Idaho was little more than des.
TT, yet today there are handsome
ONES, miles upon miles of well-im.
roved, prosperous farms and some of
he finest fruit orchards l ever saw.
hat was our problem to show tt SO
things to the people who
'ere looking for homes.
In our lecture halls we told
thousands upon thousands of peo-
lie what Idaho could do and what
he had to offer. Our stereopticon
nd moving pictures portrayed the ,
onderful work being done by the ,
nited States reclamation service, and
lso by some Of the big irrigation com. :
anies, and our lecturers gave facts ;
nd figures that opened the eyes of i,
ard headed old farmers who were
ltisfied with a crop return of $40 or :
Ii an acre.
Some Of these men went to the at =
'ndants in charge Of our Idaho booth =,
Id questioned the statements made
the lecture halls. They were sup.
led with the literature we had on =
Ind and were given government sta. .
sites in support Of the facts told. ="
hose methods won hundreds of men, "
I'd the result has been shown In the -
lux Of new families to the state. "
coionIsts Add to Land Values. I,
1T is the colonists who will make a,
r great expenditure of money in bet b
rmcnts pay" continued M. Fort. ~
fifth increased population come in, II
aascd land values. Then, too, a great n
ljority Of the men who are taking up
0 now farms are either farmers o.J