FIFTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART IX. 599 



have been neglecting some splendid opportunities with this rich soil of 

 ours. Perhaps we can make still greater returns. 



Because Iowa is strong agriculturally is no reason why we should 

 neglect further development along these lines, for other matters. The 

 great musician does not neglect his music in order to learn how to shoe 

 horses. The great chemist does not neglect chemistry for literature. We 

 should redouble our efforts, looking to the highest possible development 

 of the agricultural interests of the state. At the same time, we can, 

 and must, take steps of a practical character that will strengthen us 

 along other lines. 



5. There is one reason why I am not just entirely proud of our record. 

 Iowa is the only state in the Union which lost population during the 

 past decade. The rural population in such great agricultural states as 

 Illinois, Ohio and Indiana has declined, as well as in Iowa. But their 

 urban po])ulation has increased fast enough to more than make up their 

 loss in rural population. 



In 1880 over two-thirds of our population was rural, and less than one- 

 third was urban. 



One-half of the people in the United States will probably be living in 

 cities within six years from this time. My justification for this state- 

 ment is as follows: The rate of increase in urban population is indi- 

 cated by these facts: In 1880 it was 29.5 per cent of the total population; 

 in 1890, 36.1 per cent; in 1900, 40.5 per cent; in 1910, 46.3 per cent, the 

 rate of increase being for the first decade mentioned 5.6 per cent, the 

 second 4.4, the third 5.8, and the next will only have to be 3.7 to carry it 

 over the 50 per cent line. Iowa has not been getting her share of this 

 change in the character of our population. 



This has an effect on all of us. 



The number of acres of farm lands in Illinois is a million less than in 

 Iowa, and the number of improved acreage in Illinois is a million less 

 than in Iowa; and yet Illinois farm land is worth $290,000,000 more than 

 Iowa farm land. This is probably due, in large measure, to the proximity 

 of the cities. Being close to market is of tremendous importance. You 

 men are interested in building great cities in this state. 



6. While our farm products have grown enormously, our manufactures 

 have not kept pace with the rest of the, nation. We are long on farms 

 and short on factories. The value of our farming implements and ma- 

 chinery in 1910 was $64,498,000; this was exceeded by no other state. 

 The value of our manufacturing machinery, tools, and implements was 

 $30,413,000; this was exceeded by twenty-six states. Note the size and 

 character of some of these states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Con- 

 necticut, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, 

 Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, 

 North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, 

 Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin. 



Seventeen states turn out more manufactured products than does the 

 state of Iowa. Among these are our neighbors on all sides of us: Minne- 

 sota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, and Kansas. 

 The value of manufactured products in Wisconsin was twice as great as 



