If the resources are of such a nature that they require a particular 

 segment of the population for their proper utilization, the excess number 

 of people required over those supplied by natural increase must migrate in. 

 At the same time any excess in age or sex categories other than those usable 

 in the development of the resources should eventually migrate elsewhere to 

 seek employment. 



These conditions are imperfectly met in our culture. Unemployment com- 

 pensation, old age security programs, rehabilitation and retraining pro- 

 grams, emergency crop loans, etc., act as factors deterring migration of 

 some individuals whose current adjustment to local resources might lead 



to migration. 



Company training programs, decentralization of industry, and an in- 

 creasing military establishment induce the movement of dependents along 

 with individuals who are adjusting to resources. It is suggested then that 

 in local areas, where the resource potential is low, the effect of migration 

 will be to make the population characteristics of towns more alike since a 

 substantial part of the migration will involve persons other than the pri- 

 mary mover, the breadwinner. 



This balance of people to resources will be dynamic rather than static. 

 It may never be perfect since the utilization of resources will be dependent 

 upon the current level of technology and cultural ideals. The change in 

 these, if rapid enough, may prevent the development of a state of equilibrium. 



It is the belief of the investigator that among integrated areas, except 

 those possessing exploitable and easily exhaustible resources, a similarity 

 of gross population characteristics will eventually develop. 



The speed with which this similarity will develop will depend on two 

 factors at least. If the exploitation of resources can continually expand 

 either because of lack of limitation or change in technology, the develop- 

 ment of population balance will be retarded. This condition will continually 

 attract new migrants of age, sex, and marital status dictated by the nature 

 of the resources. Once migration slows down or reverses, the speed of at- 

 taining population balance will depend upon the rate at which natural pro- 

 cesses can compensate for differences created by migration. 



Statement of Hypotheses 



This general hypothesis of diminishing differences between areas gaining 

 and losing population has been divided into three parts for purposes of 

 testing. 



1. During the time interval 1930-1950 the measured char- 

 acteristics of population for two samples of towns, one sample of 

 towns increasing and the other decreasing during this period, will 

 become more alike. 



2. By 1950 there will be an apparent contrast in the general 

 economic structure of the towns gaining and those losing popu- 

 lation. 



3. By 1950 only minor differences will exist between the towns 

 gaining and those losing population for economic factors analyzed. 

 Such minor differences as do exist will be in favor of the increasing 

 towns. 



