The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-01-23

I the seasons. The uniformity and
traversibility Of the plains facilitated
his aggregation and organization
and mar as he came on in the: pioneer
days soon developed that socia,
solidarity which is one Of the noted
facts Of North Dakota history. In
pioneer life the men were roVers, they
were great herders of cattle, with the
cowboy life, the movement of the
Indians, while the fuel was
brought from a distance, the
house was made from material at
hand. and heavy fur clothing was used
to protect the inhabitant from the
winter climate; and there was an
open-handed hospitality in this early
pioneer life.
"As we have become more civilized,
railroads have been built straight
across the prairies, good wagon roads
have been established, n immense
farms, with highly developed machin-
cry, have been organized. While we
are still more or less dependent upon
fuel from a distance, nevertheless the
people have adapted themselves to the
prairie life, n the old hospitality Of
he early days still continues while
there is an apparent breadth of view,
and a Willingness to accept new things.
that is distinctly a mark Of the pra1-,
ries.
1.-THE extent to which this civiliza-.
ton has spread in our commonwealth
may be measured by several things.
In the public schools Of the state there
are enrolled about 100000 children out
OF the 160,0 600 that are between the
ages of s. and 20. The attendance is
nearly 100000, while scattered over
the state are 5000 schoolhouses. Like
wise, the state has established higher
educational institutions in which the
young people may be prepared to car
ry on the work of teaching, to enter
the professions, and to develop apti-,
tude n ability for leadership. In.
the same generous way the state has
also undertaken to a for it's depen-
dents and detectives. to establish
pen1tent1ar1es on modern lines that
shall care for the criminal, while in,
social fields it has established the IL
brary commission and the labor de-,
partment, and has encouraged the ex-
tension work Of the university and the
agricultural college. .
This same civilization has been
marked by a religious emphasis. There
are now about 1,400 church edifces in
the state, with about 100, 900 commun-
icants, organized in 1900. church So
%cieties, possessing q property worth.
SIS, 900, 900.
IL 10 III d commonwealth One-tn1rd
the size of Germany that this develop
ment has taken place. Seventy-four
thousand square miles, or A, 900, 900
acres of land, most of which is arabic,
is the great material basis on which
this state rests. Ignite coal has been
found In one-half of the state, and the
government Of the United States has
estimated that 500, 900, 00O, 900 tons of
such coal are to be found within the
commonwealth. Interpreted in terms
OF present-day consumption in the
United States, it would mean a supply
sufhclent to take care Of the whole
country for 100 years. The geologic
al survey has discovered clays
or nigh value, and these are
oelng utilized for manufacture
ing purposes, particularly at
Hebron and Dickinson, while the pos
sibility of a great pottery industry be-
comes clearer as more information is
secured concerning the desirability of
our clay and the possible
utilization Of Ignite in connection with
it. During this period 500 manufac-
turing concerns lave been created,
which are now putting out products
at. a value of more than $780, 00, 900.
So we have in North Dakota a
great material and economic basis for
the development of an empire, a popu-
latlon that is young and vigorous,
coming from the best soils Of Ameri-
ca. and the north lands Of Europe.
Filled with hope. they look forward
to the creation of homes in this prairie
state. ..'..
Having indicated the background
Of our social and industrial organiza-
ton, the question now arises, what
problems confront US, and If there are
what classification can be made
of them for their consideration and
treatment.
Perhaps it is we'll to say that we
have rural, municipal, material, edu-
cational and fiscal problems. What
these are. and what is meant by this
rough classification, will be developed
in the course of the discussion.
When we talk about the rural prob
lem, we have reference to the series
Of questions which arise in connection
with the occupancy Of the soil for the
carrying on of agriculture. Many
things have been said as to the char
of this problem, but in my judg-
ment it Is based upon two things.
First, the need of a. larger income;
and second, the necessity for better
social conditions. It might almost be
that out of the first will com the