Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1921-02-12
NATION IN DANGER
Farm Abandonment Has Created
Most Serious Situation.
Food Supply Threatened Through the
Drift Of the Population to the
cities-Now Is Great Opportu-
nifty TO Take Up Land.

The question. How is the country
TO he fed if the population continues
10 drift TO the citieS?" is one that
should create an agitation that will
bring about a reply that will mean a
solution. The census, recently com
pleted reveals a situation truly alarm
ing, one thar has never been known
IN the United States before The ur-
ban population is now greater than
that Of the rural districts by about
4,W000. Cities and towns. each with
more than $500 Inhabitants, contain
54,3lS 032 persons. or 5l.4 per cent OF
the total population, while the farms
and smaller towns together claim only
~ ,3997&9 persons, or 1876 per cent ~
the total
As is pointed out by an influential
Chicago daily, "the drift to the cities
IS thus proved and. reduced To figures.
showing a top,heavy condition OF the
Industrial life"
Farming IS and must remain the
basic industry Of the world. and Ger
tainly should remain the basic indus
try Of a nation with a continental
area like ours. II is small profit to
gain the markets of the world with
manufactured goods if agriculture has
decayed So badly as TO furnish an I'M
certain subsistence for our people ard
huctuating crops are reelected in price
changes that upset the economic life
| of the country. Yet we are within
measurable distance vi that condition,
If the present or recent drift toward
the cities continues
Most writer's on this topic take It
for granted that young folks 60 from
farms TO cities merely to make more
money. Doubtless that Is something
Of motive at all times and was
very strong one in the period lmme-
| dately after the war, when city indus
! tries paid wages totally impossible for
! farmers to rival.
It is hoped that this drifting has
reached its apex Unless it has. and
| there Stil remains a possibility Of its
! continuance. the effect cannot be fore
| told The great wave Of manufactures
| for war purposes has ceased. and with
/ Il the number Of those employed In
| factories is diminishing by thousands
| daily. II is therefore hoped that there
! viii again be heard the slogan. "For-
ward to the Land" If prices to which
farm land has reached are prices pro
hIhitive TO many, the opportunity IL
/ sjH open elsewhere There are states
possessing large areas of good land
! that may still be had nj prices within
| the reach OF many and II is doubtless
true that IN sclf-prcservatiop it win
be necessary 10 bring these lands IN
/ der cultivation The prices are not
| high. considering their valne Then,
too. there are the lands Of Western
Canada that hold out nm inviting pros
poet. Reports from there show that
| the prosperity Of the farmers there Is
| not mythical Farming there is con
! Quoted on scientific principles, and
the climate is such as appeals The
production amply repoys all the ev-
| pcnditure that may be made. The
social conditions are Of character
! that make farm life a pleasure. and
| tends to keep the young man and
Young woman from pining for urban
life with 50 many drawbacks. If con.
! dltlons as above mentioned. showing
such q large percentage Of population
in the cities and towns, continues, they
will require food. The opportunity to
supply It is by the means suggested
Go forward to the farm, become in
dependent, and become factor in
supplying the worlds needs in cattle,
sheep, grain and such other c0mmo-
dtits as the farm win produce and
the resident Of the city requires
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