The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1914-02-25


1t ia, one of the most peculiar
ones ON record, that the state of
Iowa has gone back in population
during the past decade and that
Iowa is one of the most fertile fields
for the mail order advertiser.
Every one of the nelghboring
states has advanced in population,
and especially in the growth of ru-
raj communities, while less than
half q dozen of the cities of Iowa
have shown an increase. The average
rural community in Iowa has not
only grown in number of Anhabit-
ants, but there has actually been
a distinct loss of population in al
most every county.
It'may be said in explanation of
s: this condition that many of the
younger generation of Iowa farmers
have gone to states where land is
cheaper and where therefore their
investment may be thought to pro-
duce greater returns than in Iowa.
But why is it then that this argu-
'ment does not hold good in Illinois,
In Michigan, In Indiana, where land
has Increased in value fully as fast
as In Iowa?
The fact is that a great many
farmers have left Iowa during the
Past ten years. The fact Is also that
the number of new corners has not:
been large enough to make up for.
the loss.
Many people have left the rural
communities in Illinois and Indiana
and other states, but the influx has
been large enough, not only to re-
place those who went away, but to
increase the population in these
communities. The small towns of
Ilinois-as a class-are growing
end prospering, while the same kind
of towns in iowa are either going
back or standing still.
There is one reason-and only
one:
In Minnesota there exists a feel
ing OF community interest-and this
feeling is kept alive by frequent in
terchange of good fellowship and CO.
operative work between the people
In town and those on the farms,
while in Iowa there is an almost to-
tai absence of such a feeling. The
few places where you find a cordial
spirit OF cooperation serve only to
m-phasize the lack of it in the very
large majority of communities.
There seems to be no common
point OF interest. The towns people
pull one way and the farmers pull
the other way-with the result, that
much of the effort which is put
forth Is wasted and bears no fruit.
And wherever you go you will find
that when such "a condition OBJ
'tabns, the community lags behind,
the town ID dead, the farmers get
less return from their Investment
and labor, the retailers do less bust
ness and reap smaller profits. Every
thing indicates stagnation and
everything is stagnant.
"A community will prosper and
grow only where there is well es-
tablished community feeling
where the business and professional
men in town and the farmers in the
surrounding territory work in har-,
mony with each other for the up
building Of their community.
Wherever this feeling is lacking
both, the town and the surrounding
territory become dormant and in
stead Of progress and prosperity we
find stagnation and poor business
coQditions In every other way.
; Shouldn't this be am incentive for.
every; resident be he farmer, bank
eh retailer, lawyer, physician, pro-
perty owner or tenant-to work
with his neighbors to upbuild his
.eQmmAnityy-for the sake OF his own
nrnnmnrifv7 -.