The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-08
KAMxAS COMMENT
THE PROsPERoTTs wBsT

THE PROSPEROUS WEST.
Whatever may be the condition of
business in the centers of trade and
industry in this country-and there
are those who look upon the situation
with some misgivings at times-one
section has a real prosperity. The
country beween the Rocky Mountains
and the Mississippi river never had SO
ton as it has today. The merest in
spection from Pullman car window
gives evidence that cannot be dis
counted. Nearly every town is show
ing evidence of improvement in new
buildings, paved streets and an air OF
contentment.
Much of the savings of the past
decade has gone into permanent i'm
proVements. Indeed, this has been
one of the reasons for the shortage of
money in the western states. 1t
should be remembered that when a
new building is constructed practi-
cally all of the material is shipped
in, the labor perhaps covers twenty
i've per cent of the cost and there is
profit on the material, but at least
fifty per cent of the cost of every new
structure in a new state has gone out
into other communities to buy raw
material itself. This in the aggregate
means a tremendous amount of mon
ey and the rapid improvements Of
farms and towns has resulted in an
C4OCOO1ASly ldIS0 Q6H1dnQs
Most of this has come out of the
deposit accounts, or it has been bor-
rowed. In either event, the material
for which it was spent is on the
ground and stands as a permanent in
vestment that adds to the worth of
ance of western communities. The
boom spirit has broken out here and
there. but in general it has been a
steady and natural growth, with very
little increase in population in all the
older settled sections. This latter fact
has broad bearing upon the pros
perity of western communities.
The fact that wealth is increasing
so rapidly and population standing
practically still, means that the per
capita of property is steadily increas-
ing and the average citizen has more
property as his portion than ever be-
fore in the VESTS history. The in
come from the farms has been SO di-
versified that there has been very lit
tie variation one year from another
regardless of the failure of some in
dividual crop. This of itself has a
strengthening effect and means that
the western states will continue to
make a regular progress and grad
ually heap up large surplus in their
savings account.
It is in every respect a real pros
perity and one that impresses every
visitor who crosses the prairie states.
Abilene Reflector.
GET OUT OF DOORS.
There is nothing like the pure fresh
air and sunlight to give vigor to body
and mind. Many person make a great
mistake in remaining indoors and broil-
ing themselves to death all winter be-
sides the redhot stove. They are NOR
tally afraid of catching a cold. The
parents imagine that it is their duty
to keep the children in the house con-
tinuously as soon as frost sears the
leaves, and to see that the doors and
windows are closed and next to air
tight, day and night. The parents want
healthy and robust children; but they
employ entirely the wrong method.
Let the children and everybody else,
have all the hfezgiying ozone of the
outdoor air possible. The country peo-
pie have this sinestimable advantage
over city people, and they ought to be
wise enough to make the best use of
it. The fresh air is just as necessary
in winter as it is in summer.-Troy
Chief.