The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-06-25
PHoENIX GINS 100 PER GEM.

~ Tn Of the masses Of preliminary census figures we have been
BIT hard by Tie impressive gam IN population made BY Phoenix.
Arizona. during the ten year period. The census bureau says
Phocnix now has a population Of $4,000 an increase Of 1878, or
1903 per cent
Albuquerque aha has gained during the ten year period and
gained notably. While the figures are not yet available we fear our
gain win hll far short Of that Of the largest Arizona city. Had we
acted in time to include our immediate suburban population Mbu-
querqaes 1920 census total might have been impressive. Confined
as il viii be to our corporate limits, the growth viii not be great.
Even Had we Included our suburbs the gain thus shown would not
have represented the same volume or kind Of growth achieved by
Phoenix during the past ten years
What has been the reason for the more rapid growth of Phoenix
The main reason has been producing land a large aud rapidly
developing agricultural tributary district There have been other
contributing causes but highly cultivated farming lands have furn-
ished the basis for the bulk Of the growth.
Will the next ten years tell the same comparative story of the
growth Of the two cities she largest Arizona and the largest New
Mexico cityH
The answer to that lies wholly with Albuquerque. If we carry
out the drainage Of or tribuery agricultural area during the next
let the water table rise and submerse the balance Of our lands we may
find mat the next ten years win show a shrinkage in population
rather than a gain
This suggestion that we may become submerged is more than
a figure Of speech. 1t is a stern reality and it brings with it a picture
Of very probable results that is disconcerting when looked at squarey
We regard our climate as a principal asset. But even our spen-
did quota Of sunshine will not serve to hold health seekers IN or ON
the edges Of a swamp and we are headed swampwsrds at a rate Of
TO spend twelve cents for a ride to the Old Mbuquerque end OF the
walk 70 the baea If the City Electric company ear barns. Those Of
us who have lived here five years or more will recall a not ulattraetye
Thanked by racing stables, q grand stand, gaiy decorated exhibit
buildings and an array Of tents and booths II was high and fairly
dry ia those days, this old State Fair ground. just go and look II
over today. 1t IS a dismal swamp. A %halfdozen orless Of abandoned
horses wade knee deep in its quagmre, nibbhng at the scant salt
grass. The water shows above the swamp growth in sinking pools.
Clouds Of mosquitoes rise and at sunset a frog chorus bursts forth m
melancholy dirge.
Fix the picture Of what a once oar state fair grounds IN your
mind then go look at the scene as you will find it tonight
One Of the nearby valley land owners who is fully alive not
only 10 the d~esrabiity, but 10 the stern necessity Tor drainage
brought US a clipping recently from Farm and Fireslde a wen
known farm magazine. 1t is reprinted in another column today II
is worth reading. while we are considering drainage here. Let II be
remembered that the project described is in Indiana not Florida that
fhe land served was already productive and that drainage was re'
sorted TO for greater production.
With us the proposition is not whether we shall have increased
production from our lands but whether we shall continue to have
any production al all.
The slogan drain or drown is something more than a clever
phrase II describes what for US is a stern alternative.