Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-10-09
The Waning of Rural America
few developments of the past decade
in America are more significant than

FEW developments Of the past decade
in America are more significant than
the turning of the balance of popu-
lation from countryside and village to more
or less crowded centers The tendency long
has been in that direction, but as recently
as 1910 fifty-four per cent of this nations
inhabitants dwelt under quiet country skies.
Now considerably more than half live in
cities of twenty-five hundred and upwards.
While the increase in urban population has
been at the rate of twenty-five and two
~tenths per cent during the last ten years.
that of rural population has been only three
and four-tenths per cent The cityward drift
which, a few generations back, ran like
meadow stream, has swollen to rivers i'm
petus.
Is it not inevitable, if this trend continues
that it's economic and social effects win
work profound changes in the nations life?
Already we see declining supply and a
mounting cost of divers necessaries, in con-
sequence of the movement away from the
soil. While of most food staples this is but
relatively true-that is, the gain in produc-
ton, though appreciate, has not kept pace
with the increase in population-there have
been recent periods of absolute decline III
the output of important farm products With
the inducement of war prices, there came
marked increases, accentuated by the prog
ress of diversified farming in the South. But
it cannot be expected that passing stimulus
like this will conteract a steady dwindling
of the ranks of farm labor and the adding
OF millions to the cities. The problem of food
supply, which looms sgrimly behind this state
or affairs, may not become acute in the near
future. Improved methods of agriculture
undoubtedly can do much to increase the
average yield, and machinery can go far to-
ward offsetting a shortage of hands; u1ti-
mately, however, the gap between demand
and supply will yawn like a gulf of Dives,
unless more man-power is turned to making
food for the multiplying millions.
Woven in with these economic currents
are social reactions of far-reach1ng conse-
auence. An America whose sinews are
formed and whose thoughts are bred am1d
o densely populated and intensified INDUS
trial environment needs must be different
from the America whose ideals so long were
dominated from the wide reaches OF rural
life. To the extent that the change would
mean a larger consciousness of common in
terests and keener efficiency for co-work-
ing, it's effect would be distinctly construc
tive; for while industrialism lays doom
full hand on much that is picturesque and
deservedly cherished, it does make for GER
tain new breadth and effectiveness of the
social impulses, and thereby quickens the pace
Of human progress. But could not such
gains just as we'll be secured through rural
channels, and without many of the ills now
accompanying them, if the countrysides were
peopled in fair proportion to the cities and
were as well provided with schools, domestic
conveniences and facilities for social contact?
IL it not thus, indeed, that the problem can
best be solved? The drift to crowded CEN
ters has sundry causes, but none more i'm
polling than desire for neighborly mingling,
for better educational facilities, for freer
communication, and for bit Of diversions
spice. All these can be had in the country
IL the movement to put them there be strong
and sustained enough. And with their en-
r1chment and cheer added to the basic advan-
tages of rural life, return to the soil will
become most likely. However it might be in
those regions which already are highly urban
lied, the South which is still predominantly
rural, in population, can be kept so by no
other means than the development of schools
and highways and other forces that make
life on the farmstead humanity engaging