The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-02
THEY TURN WEST.
CONTINUED from Page one.)
In the Southwest.

In the southwest.
The indications are here regarded as
very strong that the year 1912 will
demonstrate, as none of the proceed
ing years has demonstrated, what the
possibilities Of the empire-like south
west really are. The secretary of agri-
culture, James Wilson, is confident
that its agricultural production may
be vastly increased, that the magnifi-
cent harvest of cotton of which Okla
hOma showed herself capable may be
duplicated in other parts of the south
west and that there may be domesti-
Gated there certain fruits which hith-
erto have come almost exclusively to
the United States from the far east
or the Mediterranean region. as, for
instance, dates. The cultivation of the
Splneless cactus is, we hear, to be at
tempted upon large scale in the
southwest. And if that curious plant
is found to possess the qualities
claimed for it. not merely it's food
yielding elements for cattle, but its
fiber and its juices with which a per-
feet waterproof paint can be manu-
featured, then there should be a very
great cultivation of this hybridiZed
plant artificially created by Luther
Burbank. the plant wizard Of Cali
fornia.
There are presumably to be consider
able expansions of railway systems in
the southwest. These are inevitable ii
to flourish The state Of Texas seems to
nave worked out a plan by which there |
may be harmony, and no longer friction, |
between the railroads and the people of !
the state. The result of that will prob |
bly, be demonstrated in the year 1912 Dy |
the construction of some seven hundred |
miles of new railroad, mostly in western |
IeXas, and it is regarded here as not a /
all impossible that at least a thousand /
least well under way, by the end of this
year. In the southwest there is at pres
ent no need of additional great trunk
lines What is essential is the building of
branch or feeder lines by means of which /
territory may be opened up to transporta-
ton AS these railway lines are con-
stucted their handmaidenS, the telegraph
and telephone, will also accompany them
and 1t Is expected that in the year 1912
there will be q g'eat increase in the
throughout the southwest
In the South. ii
It viii probably be discovered before the
end of the year 1872 that the southern
states, including Virginia, Will have con-
structed this year more miles of railway
Of the United States. Recently informa-
ion came to this city from North Caro-
ina telling Of splendid awakening OF
The people of that state to their unsur-
passed natural resources. The state is
almost individual exceptional in the
for the development or
place, those great stretches of lowlands
iwept by ocean breezes. the soil incon-
seivably rich and peculiarly adapted to
he cultivation of vegetables and garden
ruck. for which the great cities of the
forth, with which this section had now
been brought into rapid communication |
" means of a large increase OF railway |
ABILITIES, furnish an abundant and profit
lbIe market There is only the vaguest
ude of the development OF this coastal
egion of North Carolina BY ana by,
when perfected waterway communication
" means of the canal stretching from the
POUNDS of North Carolina 70 deep water
navigation at Norfolk ig 0pen to nav1ga-
ion, this section Of North Carolina win
a.. 1
lext place, there are the up4ands In mid
North Carolina Some portions OF them
re suitable for cotton with the furpen-
LIong scientific and economic hines.
A few years ago the only txanspoxta- /
ion for the products OF the turpentine
ina to the seacOast was by means OF flat
'oat, stern-wheeI river communication |
Tver at Fayetteville to the mouth of that !
liver. Capital WIS found with which to ]
onstruct q railroad paralleIing this river |
nd in this way the industry was greatly
ffers to the capitalists investment IN the
reat mining, forest and grazing oppor- [
Tuch timber will be cut in western North | J
'arolina I'm 1872 and there is to be de-
of water power converted into 3
iectr1c energy and involving invest :
lent of some fifteen million dollars.
forth Carolina is to have some new rail
-ay construction in 1912. but not as much T
s the state needs. The great growth of a
florida is to be exemplified in 1912 by the
obstruction of some four hundred miles r
{ new railroad and this peninsula, which =
-as so long neglected. is, within the next r
We years, to be as thoroughly bisected ! :
nd cobwebbed by railway systems as
ny state in the Union
Perhaps in the year 1912 the railway 3
ne which Mr. Flagler is constructing as s
supplement to his wonderful coast line c
y means of which communication with {
axe Okeechobee by rail may be secured ?
i'll be completed In addition to railway
instruction in the south this year. there
e to be very large Investments of capt.
u much of it obtained from local q
,urces. in new industrial and certain G
gricultural activities exclusive of the c
eat staple of the south. cotton
HOLLAND Z