Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-01-23
A TIMELY SUGGESTION.

At the last meeting of the Dallas
Commercial club, Wilson A. Ayres
called attention to the need of set
tling up the many acres of land in
Polk county, and suggested a plan
which would solve the problem and,
at the same time, add very material
ly to the population and wealth of
this county. He called attention to
the fact that there are many thous-
ands of acres in this county which
would support a much larger popula-
ton than now exists thereon and, de-
clared that these acres should be
plated and placed on the market in
small tracts Hundreds of such
tracts would be available for small
fruit farming and would bring
much greater revenue to their owners
than they do under the present plan.
Mr.. Ayres cited the instance of the
great scope of fertile land adjoining
the Salem, Falls City & Western rail-
way line between Dallas and the Will
lamette river, which is now largely
other cereals. He believed that these
tracts could be purchased from the
owners at reasonable prices or that,
in any event, a large amount of this
land could be plated in smaller
tracts and placed on the market. In
order to secure buyers for these
tracts, Mr.. Ayres suggested that the
Commercial club make arrangements
to send a capable representative East |
plentifully supplied with literature
and other data. and that colonization
schemes on a large scale, he under |
taken to bring in new people. He
also suggested that these people could |
be brought to Dallas in special car
and, in the event that they purchas-
ed land the amount of their fare
could be refunded to them
While the plan is not new 1t is,
nevertheless, meritorious, and has
been proven successful in many 9TH
er localities OF this state and in Wash
ington, There are today thousands
of farmers in the Eastern states. in
many instances renting high priced
lands, who would gladly welcome an
opportunity to come West. where
land Is cheaper and climatic condi-
tions are more to their liking. There
are Others again, owning high priced
acres, who would gladly sell and
come West If they knew just where
20 go to find what they want. A con-
'cientious and faithful representative
rom Oregon, amply supplied with
would have little trouble
n interesting numbers of these East
'rn and Middle Western farmers in
oregon, and that they would come
o Polk county in carloads is un-
ouhted
What Polk county wants, in fact
that Oregon generally wants. is
nore people, and the surest way to
ttain this result is to go after them.
Idvertising and boosting literature Is
II right In its way. but II doesn't go |
ar enough. People want to see and |
nix with the men with whom they A
cal, and the offer Of free fares to
he Pacific coast" is sure 20 bring o.
Irgc numbers who would not other cl
Use make the trip. at least not for in
ANY years. 4,
This plan OF sending representa- ii
YES East has been adopted hy many in
'mmunities, even in oregon. and an e,
stance is at sutherlin where scores b,
new settlers have been brought 81
to the country through the medl- a,
N Of such personal canvass. These ii
nd buyers are brought West in a
.ecial Pullman sleepers. the cars us
lily departing from the centers OF OF
'pulation. and are accompanied by ed
representative Of the land COM
my or community OF Sutherlin. In
arly every instance a purchase is 81
adc, Il Is declared. "A,
Here Is a plan which deserves the hr
rnest consideration % the Dallas "a,
numerical club. Here Is an oppor- tn
nifty for the club 90 sun further Tr
owe It's worth to the community fr,
me EFFORT should be made to en- M.
I land owners In a general and ia
ncerted move IN the direction oflto,
'tung their acres and. by a pooling
Interests. the funds could be pro- cb
Jed 10 send a representative East N,
Z the Commercial club should take M
"a Of the matter and provide the "A,
dium BY which organisation along a.,
line may Be brought about. "A
o -
. = oettainiy 70 oe hoped that u.
Ayres' timely suggestion VII re- pa
re the serious consideration q de- "a,
~ So