THE CONQUEST OF ARID AMERICA 



true that other millions have remained in the East and 

 failed to prosper. Nevertheless, as failure in this lino is 

 more widely advertised than success, the disappoint- 

 ments encountered by families and individuals drawn 

 from widely scattered eastern communities constitute a 

 most serious obstacle in colonization work. 



What are the causes of failure on the part of eastern 

 settlers who started out with high hopes, and frequently 

 with abundant capital, to make new homes in the West? 

 There are a variety of reasons, but they may be broadly 

 divided under two heads. There have been numerous 

 attempts to realize impracticable dreams of social and 

 economic reforms. These were usually undertaken by 

 excellent people who sincerely desired to make the world 

 better. California has been a favorite field for such 

 efforts. Madame Helena Modjeska and a little party 

 of her talented compatriots tried to found a social and 

 artistic paradise in the vicinity of Los Angeles many 

 years ago. They failed because they had no comprehen- 

 sion of the prosaic problems of land and water, and were 

 unable to do the hard work which success required. 

 There was a dress-reform colony which aimed to simplify 

 feminine attire, and provided that when its women desired 

 new dresses they should submit the matter to a committee 

 and be governed by its action. When the committee re- 

 ported adversely to any woman's hopes, her male friends 

 generally took her part, and it was not long before the 

 colony was disbanded. There have been numerous at- 

 tempts to realize very advanced ideals of Socialism. Al- 

 most without exception these were undertaken with in- 

 adequate capital, and failed before they could reach the 

 point of possible success, however sound the theory upon 



