The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-11-02

1t began III tho Red river valley in
the los and Dos. moved steadily west
ward across the virgin prairicS, and
swept over the Missouri river. reach
ing the Montana border less than IS
years ago.. The last counties OF the
Missouri slope were created III 1907.
In 40 years our state has wrought
we'll in every branch of agricultural
achievement. For many years it has
held a position second only to Kansas
In the quantity of wheat production,
and first III the production Of No. l
hard and durum wheat. flax, barley,
and winter rye. In 1923 it produced
lao 1873 900 bushels CT wheat. 2 5000, 0O0
bushels of corn. 100000 hogs. and
Cos 900 sheep. In the same year It's
dairy production wa3 valued at $751;
OOO, 900. and its poultry production
at SIT, 500, 900.
To accommodate the growing needs
Of cur rural population all the usual
agencies Of trade, commerce and
transportation are found here in
abundance. We have four transconti-
mental railrOads-the Great Northern,
Northern Pacific. Milwaukee. and 500
lines-which. together with the
branches of each, operate $3.50 miles
of railway. reaching into every nook
and corner of our So counties. Rail
road building ceased in 1914. but with
the advent Of the automobile modern
highway construction commenced.
and is being pushed forward with
great rapidity. On a state and federal
highway system of 7,400 miles APP
proSimately $3.50 miles have been
graded and 2,650 graveled.
Third In Good Roads
According to a recent report of the
United States bureau Of public roads,
our state now ranks third among the
43 states in the total miles of i'm
proved highways completed (being eX-
cecded only by Minnesota and Texas,
and second in number of miles of inn
proved highways now under construc-
ton. This entire highway system has
been built without the creation Of a
dollar Of state debt for road or bridge
purposes.
With the coming Of railroads 2l3
towns and los cities came into exist
ence. providing centcrs of trade. edu-
cation and social ccnveniences for
people. The population being
largely rural. and with no large in
dustrial centers. our towns and cities
are not large. but are good-sized com-
munity cente:s and market places for
the country folk, and the spirit Of
social democracy dominates them.
AS in all other states. the automo-
bile has revolutionized the social and
economic life Of North Dakota. We
have l6O. 1881 passenger automobiles
and 25.68O trucks, enough to take the
entire population Of the state car
riding at n time. with plenty Of
seating capacity to spare for guests
and transients. There seems 10 be
no end to the capacity of our people
to acquire motor vehicles and to pay
for them-in time.
Education to Fore
In the field of education our
achievements have been unsurpassed.
We have 5.842 grade schools, $50 con-
solidated schools. and 1853 high schools.
Out Of q population Of $4,000 there
are over las, 900 children attending
the grade schools. $4,000 attending
high schools. and $500 attending col
lcges In North Dakota. Out Of a total
Of $3O,O0OyO00 annually expended for
state and local government purposes,
raised from general taxation. we ex-
pend SIS 100000 for maintenance Of
the grade and high school system and
100000 for the colleges.
Since statehood North Dakota has
been almost entirely an agricultural
state. We are now expanding from the
field Of agriculture and entering upon
q period Of industrial and commercial
development. We are at the threshold
Of q time when manufacturing, min
ing. processing. storing and distribut-
ing industries Of many kinds will be
established and operated within the
state.
Geinx Into Industry
Much progress has already been
made In certain lines Of industry. We
have two packing plants. n located
at Fargo and one at Grand Forks: II
creameries In operation. and others
In the course Of construction. We have
over 100 grain elevators. 10 or 10
nsiyAtely-Owued flour mills. and a
state-owned mlll and elevator with a
milling capacity q 30oo barrels per