The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1916-02-18
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

From the ethical view point, the
ideal community must be democratic
ally organized and yet at the same TIM,
give the greatest possible range to the
initiative and self expression of the
individual; while from the economic
view point, the ideal community is
thoroughly selfsupporting. But it is
only as the ethical and the economic
ideas are wisely combined that any
community reaches its highest devel-
opment. And, since ethics must always
walt on economics, let us consider this
subject of community development
principally from the economic side.
Until recent years our western com
munities developed in a haphazzard
fashion. They were without form and
void" Like Topsy, they "just growed. !"
and whatever manner Of cooperation
effort they manifested was rather Of
the instructive than of the reasoned
order. The men who founded then,
drifted with the tide of events, LETTING
each day provide for itself and were
content with the meagre mead that
fortune cast before them. But lately,
the idea of orderly community devel-
oDment has taken possession of the
minds of the people and every town Of
fair size has its chamber of commerce,
commercial club or board of trade,
which endeavors to promote the public
welfare, while in the rural districts,
remote from the towns are the oranges
and farmers unions All these organi-
cations work towards the enrichment
Of their various communities and
neighborhoOds by developing and ex-
plotting the natural resources of their
territory.
The slogan of the chamber of COM
merce or commercial club is "popula-
ton and pay rolls" It's efforts are di-
rected Immediately towards immigra-
ton and the establishment OF indus
tries. 1t is equally interested in the
increase Of both urban and rural
wealth and therefore, naturally under
takes to act as leader in every enter
prise that looks towards the upbuild-
ing OF the community. Not only does
1t encourage local manufacturing
plants, but on the intelligent theory
that urban population must have album
dant local supply of food and raw ma
terials, endeavOrs to promote agricul-
tural efficiency and expansion within
the region affected by it's influence.
On the other hand, the agricultural
organizations have for their motto,
better farming; better markets; a
more abundant rural life" Their eff
forts are directed towards keeping
agriculture abreast Of modern econo-
mic development, to the encourage
ment of near by industrial commune
ties, to the improvement of transpor-
tation facilities and the amelioration
| of the more rugged features of country
living. Recognizing the dual relation
ship OF agriculture to industry; the
| fact that it not only furnishes food
and raw material, but also is the ulti-
mate consumer of the industrial pro-
duct, they welcome the erection of ev-
cry new manufacturing plant that in
| the nature of general conditions, has
reasonable chance of success. Like
the chamber of commerce or the board
OF trade they feel charged with the
highest interests of the community and
undertake to foster those enterprises
that make for both economic and social
well being.
And now, since we are here assem-
bled in farmers union, let us under
take to estimate some of the problems
that must be met in the development
of the immediate Okanogan valley and
it's surrounding highlands.
1t Is recognized law of agricultural
economics, that rural communities
probably and permanently increase
their population by only two methods