Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1914-07-31
THE ONWARD MARCH.

city or town seldom stands still. The
indicator either swings forward OF
backward 1t may hesitate momen-
tarily, but it soon points unerringly
in the one or the other direction
Perhaps there have been towns that
have grown to be great cities and be-
come proud and prosperous in spite OF
themselves, but if such is fact, there
have been fortunate combinations un-
usual of location, immigration and
other conditions which were aiding all
efforts that were put forth in the go
ing forward On the other hand,
towns with apparently no great fu-
ture have overcome seemingly unsur-
mountable obstacles and grown to be
great cities by reason of the helpful
ness of the people. There is often
such little difference between success
and failure, just little on one side or
the other, that may throw the scales.
The combined weight of the people
can determine the course that a town,
city or community is going to take.
If they are on the side of progress,
the place will progress. If some pull
one way and some the other the work
of the progressives is nulifed. Com
bined efforts and harmony on the part
of all is essential and necessary to
bring results.
No prophet S vision or Solomon-like
wisdom is necessary to say, or deter
mine, that Dallas and Polk county
stands upon the threshold Of great ad-
vancement; the parting of ways is
here. A failure to recognize the op-
portunities or beckon their approach,
would mean at least long delay in
their arrival We are located in one
of the richest valleys in the most de-
lightful land the world has given; peo-
pied by intelligent and industrious
men and women who are patriotic to
all that is good, true and noble; IA
vored by all, the advantages of eli
mate, soil and water, surrounded by
every charm of mountain grandeur.
Nature has left nothing lacking that
would add to its preeminence as an
abiding place. 1t remains for those
who live here to let the world know
of the opportunities Of this great val
ley and country.
Dallas has a live commercial or
ganization that is doing effective
work, but its activities are confined
too closely to local affairs instead of
undertaking TO exploit the wonderful
resources of this wonderful locality.
Descriptive literature for circulation
in the Middle Western states, from
which large proportion of the Pa
cific Northwest new population is
derived, appears to the writer to be a
necessity. There are in Oregon some
thing like one hundred and fifty COM
mercial organizations, each one of
which is sending broadcast large
amounts of publicity matter pertain
ing to its respective locality, and un-
less Polk county becomes more active
in this direction it is likely to be rele
gated to the background while other
less pretentious sections with more
progressiveness are reaping the golden
harvest. While we are talking furth-
er development of our natural resourc-
eS in order to enhance population for
our consequent commercial benefit, we
are doing nothing effective TO that end.
With the approach of the great San
Francisco exposition, thousands of
people from all sections of the east
em country will pay their respects to
this valley. many with a view TO To-
eating permanently, and Dallas should
place before as many of these as pos
sible an invitation 10 visit this city.
Ii should make this invitation so
strong that it could not be resisted by
contemplating settlers. 1t can be
done. 1t is not a question of afford
ing the necessary expenditure. it Is
question of not aifording it.
The fact that here and there is an
individual who does not want the town
and county TO grow should not hinder
the efforts of the progressive ones.
There are plenty of baekwoods places
and villages without pride, ancestry or
hope of future prosperity. to which
they may go if they so elect. Per
sonal and selfish consideration should