The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-09-29

had no notes but spoke of the devel.
opment of the state and showed how
the railroads were largely responsible
Mr.. Elliott delivered a long and
carefully prepared address. His SUBJ
1ect was, A Mile of Railroad and o
Country Store, and he showed that q
country store In North Dakota was
much more profitable than the same
amount Of money invested in a mile OF
railroad. He said in part:
Three hundred and one miles OF
new railroad were built in North Da-
kota in 1910, or a larger new mileage
than was constructed In any other
northwestern state. Only two states
In the union received an equal addi-
ton to their transportation facilities,
and in one Of these the number Of
people TO the mile OF railroad was
more than double. and In the other
nearly double the number in this
state, where each mile OF railroad
serves only 1877 people.
I'm Minnesota tn railroad may de-
pend upon the activities of 24s people
to support each mile. In Pennsylva-
mia the railroad Is supported by the
business of nearly three times as
many, or 6ss people to the railroad
mile, while In the New England
states there are more than 1000 per
mile. In Rhode Island, which ex-
cept FOR the District Of Columbia, has
the densest population per mile OF line,
there are 1850 people TO produce the
business which each mile Of railroad
handles.
The area of the northwestern and
western states IL great. The popuIa-
ton, while growing at a gratifying
rate, is not yet comparable with the
population Of older portions OF the
country. and the railroad is stiIl In a
sense, a pioneer. II Is investing mon
ey against its belief in the future and
Is providing needed facilities against
a time when II may hope to handle,
through them, volume OF business
proportionate to that enjoyed by old
er lines In better settled country.
"North Dakota occupies a fortunate
position. The time IL far on when 1t
will be necessary to turn the newcom-
err away because there is no more rich
or fertile land for him to use. Thir-
ty-seven and a half per cent of it's
total acreage still awaits cultivation
by progressive farmers. The farm
population Is growing rapidly, In
creasang 81 per cent during the last
census period. The increase of ia
per cent In the improved acreage of
the state Is significant indication
that banks, business houses and rails
roads alike will have to enlarge and
prepare to do more business, II they
adequately take care of the demands
Of the future.
"A large part OF this satisfactory
growth is traceable to the fact that
the Northern Pacific railway, the pio-
neer line, and other railroads have
since the first. kept ahead Of the in
coming farmers and have provided
them with transportation. to open up
markets for their products and to
make their business successful. This
work should continue or the develop
ment of the state will be retarded.
New miles Of railroad must be built
before the wild prairie that is still
unused, but rich In agricultural possi- |
bilities, can be made productive.
lit is only few months since
AN@A @AA DahOLn Aidu o pKACtLIal example
OF what new railroad means to a
growing agricultural state, in the |
opening up Of Hettinger county by the
construction OF the Northern Pacifc's
Cannon Ban extension. Lands were
worth from 81 to SIS per acre before
the railroad was built. and there was
little development of farming. Land
IL already worth frnno So to SIS an
acre and choice sections In favored
districts are worth even more. Set
tiers are going In and thriving towns