Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1925-01-09
IDAHO FALLS MAN
TALKS OF RESOURCES

| One or the most interesting ant
to Idahoans, most inspiring address
ses ever given before the local cham
Der of commerce was that of RALPH
Edmunds, representative of large
business interests in Idaho Falls, al
the regular forum luncheon of the
chamber, says the Idaho Falls Times
Register. Mr.. Edmunds spoke on
the Development of Idaho's Re-
sources and compared the results
of advertising in other states with
that accomplished in this state in
comparison with their respective re-
sources, and called attention to the
boom Idaho Falls was enjoying as
a result of its advertising program.
Mr.. Edmunds stated that four
months ago there were 245 vacant
houses in Idaho Falls, IS vacant store
buildings and no market at all for
real estate. That not a house was
built there during 1924. He said
that following the organization of
real estate board there and the open
ing of an advertising campaign re-
ports of real estate sales had been
made each week in substantial
amounts.
Idaho people do not appreciate the
fact that we have a wonderful eli
mate The state of Idaho has far
better climate than that of the state
of California. They talk about their
climate all the time in terms of
praise and we think nothing about
our climate, Mr.. Edmunds said.
We have the richest land on earth.
There is no poor land in the Snake
River Valley. A man gets more here
for his labor than elsewhere. This
southern Idaho produces 100000
900 annually in agriculture. 1t could
be made to produce 100000, 900
adding another acre of land.
From the farms alone we have paid
of 500, 100000 of debt since 1920.
# this were not the richest valley
IN earth we could not have done this.
We have ten million acres that we
IAN eventually irrigate. Only three
Millions now are under irrigation.
We have only started to store wa
er. The possibilities are boundless.
Our water rights are the best and
he cheapest on earth. In our dis
riot we have $500 miles of canals
,uilt without government aid. These
annals are all paid for with only
our exceptions and their bonds will
III be retired in four years. Main
enance is from z cents to As cents
Ter acre each year. If all the canals
# Idaho were placed end to end they
would encircle the globe.
w have developed only $4,000
horsepower in our present electric
,lants while the state has potential
water power of 100000 horsepow-
r.
We have taken over one billion
lollars from our mines, but we have
'nly worked the surface. Our great
mineral wealth still lies hidden in
'ur mountains awaiting capital and
men to bring it to the surface. The
wealth of our mines would pay the
lation's debt.
There are still twenty millions of
ores of virgin, standing timber in
his state. There is part of Idaho
10 miles by 100 miles that does not
ven have a railroad.
Our greatest asset is our natural
cenery. We have more God-given
cenery in one county of Idaho than
here is in all California, and yet
ow few Americans know thing
bout what we have. The Yellow
tone is only few hours drive from
there stand. It is one of the
,orld's greatest wonders. About the
anne distance from us is the famous
ackson's Hole country with Jenny's
AXE and Mt. Moran just over 1t.
he great Tetons tower to the sky
ne just few miles down the val
~ We have the grandeur of the
hoshone Falls and the marvellous
lue Lakes. To the west we have
he Payette Lakes, the Reddish Lakes
nd the matchless beauty Of the Sal
on River mountains. 1 have stood
n one peak in central Idaho and
levied at one time eleven beautiful
kes nestled in the basins below
e and probably not over 100 per-
ms ever saw these bodies of clear, |