Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1913-09-05
COUNTRY LIFE BEST
THE MOVEMENT OF POPULATION
FROM COUNTRY INTO CITIES
Is DETRIMENTAL TO ALL.
MUST NOW HAVE MORE ATTRACTIONS
Something Must Be Done to Keep the
Young People Of the Rural Dis
tricts From the Allurements
Of City Life.


Of City Life.
There has been noticed q great ten.
dency on the part of the rural popu-
lation to migrate into the larger cities
during recent years.
A few figures will show how strong
this movement is becoming and illus
trate it's serious economic aspects.
According to government statistics,
the population Of the United States
in 1880 was 50.155.783. OF this num-
Der 35.383,345 was rural, leaving only
14.772,438 in the larger towns and cit
les. In 1910 the population had in
creased to 91,972,266 and the ratio Of
country residents had radically
changed. There were 49.34S,sS in
the small towns and rural sections
and 42,623,3S3 in the cities. In other
words, in 1880 about u per cent Of
our population lived in the country
and only about 80 per cent in the cit
les; in 1910 only about "a per cent
was rural. while the urban population
had increased to 46 per cent.
It must be conceded that this move
into the cities Is detrimental to the
best interests and welfare of the ma
ton at large and, In most cases. to
the individuals concerned.
Probably one OF the chief causes Of
this movement is the fact that most
country towns and rural communities
are not enterprising. attractive and
entertaining enough to hold the young
people. They become discontinued
and their restless spirits are further
fred by great misconceptions of city
life,s drawn from books, newspapers
and magazines. The country boy
reads about the theatres and exhibit
tions, brilliant social affairs and many
attractions of the big cities and the
lucky strikes and wonderful successes
of country boys who have gone to
the big cities. His literature does
not show him the other side Of the
picture; does not tell about the many
disadvantages Of city life, the high
costs Of living, unfriendliness, social
aloofness, fierce competition for 20
sitions, difficulties OF attaining sue
cess. lower moral standards and less
healthful surroundings. His literature
tells about the successes of country
boys in the cities; it does not tell
about the many thousands 81 them
who are lost in the shuttle"
Two things are needed to overcome
this discomfort and this undesirable
movement Of population. First, more
attractive country towns with more
social and entertainment features in
the country districts. There are very
few really desirable things in the city
that the country can not also have. ON
q smaller scale perhaps, but just as
good. Second, system Of educational
publicity, whereby the city will not be
unjustly magnified and painted in at
tractive colors at the expense Of the
country. Just for change let's tell
OF the disadvantages Of the city and
the many real solid advantages of
country life and of the successes Of
country boys who stayed at home on
the farm or In the home town.
The Little Old Town.
There are fancier towns than the lit
tie old town,
There are towns that are bigger
than this;
And the people who live In the tinier
town
All the city excitement may miss.
There are things you can see In the
weather. town
That you can't In the town that 10
small
And yet, up or down,
There is no other town
Like your own little town, after all.
It may be that the street through the
heart Of the town
Isn't long. isn't wide, isn't straight;
But the neighbors you know In your
own little town
With a welcome your coming await.
On the glittering streets Of the glitter
ing town,
BY the palace and pavement and
wall,
In the midst Of the throng.