The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-09-08
VISION OF GREATER NORTH
DAKOTA COMES AT DAWN0F
RICH HARVEST, M[LL0Y SAYS
Possibilities for Industrial and Agricultural Development of
North Dakota Are Unlimited, Capitalist Says

into a condition of permanent stabil-
ity for the state. The leaders are
trying to check the instructive de-
sire of the farmers to expand the
wheat acreage merely because prices
are high at the present moment.
They realize that such a development
might throw the state back into the
nut from which il is only now emerg-
ing.
But crop Investigation alone
cannot solve the problems of North
Dakota. Industrial development is
necessary If the state is to advance
out of the pioneer stage. And INDUS
trial development brings up the ques
ton of freight rates. Although the
farmers, rs a whole, are opposed to
any such advance as is now con.
templated by the western carriers,
the more intelligent among them
realize that something must be done
if all the railroads in that territory
are not to follow the St. Paul into
bankruptcy.
Grain Rates
eff freight rates are not advanced
on grain, the chief product of North
Dakota, there is practically no other
source of increased revenue to which
the roads can turn. But, say the
leaders Of the new program, if we
can attract industry to the state, the
freight burden will be so distributed
that it is sure to lead eventually to
lower rates on farm products.
"According to Major Stanley Wash
burn, the possibilities for industrial
development in North Dakota are
immense. The state has an album
dance of cheap fuel, in the shape of
vast Ignite deposits, and a plentiful
supply of available water. These two
factors offer the prospect for the
prospeV' for super power develops
ment which as yet has only been
touched. The whole Of the Missouri
River bottom can be utilized for the
cultivation of sugar beets, while the
availability of cheap power presents
the opportunity for the growth of
large sugar refining plants within
the state. In addition, says the Ma
jor, North Dakota has huge clay de-
posits which cannot be equaled any
where else in the United States for
the manufacture of clay products.
Attract Immigration
''The campaign will not stop mere
~ with an effort to draw eastern
capital into the state. 1t also plans
to attract man power from the
Scandinavian countries whose emf
grants now form the bulk of North
of North Dakota will be advertised
to the farmers of Denmark, Norway,
and Sweden in an effort to bring
most Of the future immigration quo
tas of those nations direct to the
farms of North Dakota. These new
corners will be furnished with credit
and given the opportunity to buy
land on reasonable terms. In this
way it is hoped to replace the recent
population losses and to develop
scientifically the cultivation Of sugar
beets.
1t is interesting to note the ex
tent of crop diversification that has
already taken place in North Dakota.
From 1927 to 1928, while the wheat
acreage showed a steady decline, the
acreage planted to barley, flax seed,
corn and white potatoes grew rapid
ly. Thus, in this period of depres-
sion, when discouraged farmers were
moving citywards, the barley acreage
increased from 1886 900 acres; flax
seed from $4,000 to 1904 900 acres;
CORN from 100000 to $4,000; and po-
tatoes from l24 1000 to $4,000 acres.
Cattle Increase Great
"In addition, the number Of cattle
in North Dakota increased from $685.
600 on January l, 1923, to 5000 on
January l, 1924, while, in the same
period, the number Of hogs rose from
566,OO0 to 65l 900. 1t is further
significant that of the farmers who
were forced to give up their farms
after the collapse of 1921, the pre-
ponderating number were those who
dld not own single COW:
"To the writer this North Dakota
movement appears the most hopeful
sign that has come out Of the North
west in recent years. The farmers
have evidently lost faith in the value
of legislative panaceas and have be
come convinced of the soundness Of
the proposition that The Lord helps
him who helps himself Diversified
ton to the extent that it is possible
under existing conditions, but above
all the development Of industry
which alone can bring about COM
plete diversification. With such
program, entirely devoid Of political
aim, and based on sound economic
principles, North Dakota should be
able to take her proper position
among the sisterhood of states"
The name of the Greater North