Arizona republican., 1919-04-20
Phoenix

In 1910 the population of Phoenix was 11,134. according to the It is now. we believe, not less than 4000o We remember that long before 1910 enthusiastic real estate agent adopted slogan "Phoenix-1s15-4O,O0 ,O00" At that time that was not even prophecy. The who devised the slogan probably did not really believe it meant any thing. There then to believe that Phoenix would have population of 4oo0o at any specified time We had not square foot of street paving; had not laid the foundation for city Nobody was trying to make Phoenix grow.
 Street paving began in 1911 and the growth city ward then began and it has continued since. There was interruption in the fall of 1914 but it did not last long Then in 1917 the brake was ap- piled to Phoenix as it to all towns which were not engaged in industries but still the town kept plugging along. It growing steadily while most of us thought it was standing still. Though many projects for it's advancement had been arrested many were kept unostentatiousy but steadily in progress Street paving was extending, residence building going on, and before we knew it we had town of 3O,000.
 By that time Phoenix had become so big that it could rapidly without attracting much attention and within the last year it has grown rapidly than ever befoein the greater number of residences which, however have not kept pace with the increas- ing population
 very important factor. believe the most i'm portan has been the development of the long staple cotton industry which has much farther to go An other has been the cutting up of the country into smaller tracts and that will become more noticeable when the county paving system has been put under way. The effect the country will be similar to the effect of street paving the growth of the city and as the county grows the city must grow
 Now men believe that Phoenix in ten years will have population of 0O0 this is an estimate made by conservative men and believe it is most con- servative estimate which will found to be short of the realization. It is not a slogan, but fixed belief.
 Phoenix has never had a boom. It has never had sharp ups and downs Real estate has moved up and down at times slowly. Between 1914 and 1916 it was rather on the down grade Farm property was rot in great demand. Acreage could be bought for less than it brought year before But some months ago it took upward turn and has been going strong and steadily For some months it has been active and sales are heavy stronger prices than ever In the judgment those who are competent there will never be another backward movement in this valley but long forward movement until the ultimate has been reached.
 This movement is of course being reflected on city property, when the city depends so much on the surrounding country There is nothing in this world mere secure than the Salt River valley There is no city more secure than Phoenix
 We have spoken of period of depression of prices or acreage And at the time we have described the steady though by many unnoticed growth of Phoenix during that period when there was depression of city real estate That growth was q manifestation of confidence which has been Justified beyond expectation. Now Phoenix is growing on something more substantial than even confidence It is growing because it cannot help it.