Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-05
IMMIGRATION THE THING To Accelerate the Industrial Ad-
 vancement of Alabama, SAYS COMMISSIONER LANE Hustling and Advertising for Full Pledged Pro- ducers Needed for the Development
 of Our Matchess Soil

A representative of the State Herald met Hon. Hector D. Lane, state commits sioner of agriculture. He was in the of flee of Capt Sid Jones, and as the two traversed the northwest together in the interest of immigration to Alabama, as might have been expected, they were deeply engaged in a discussion on the subject of immigration.
 'I am not talking politics." said MT. Lane as the reporter entered, but have seat; we are talking now of more material matters" e
 After short chat on general topics the commissioner kindly consented to give the reporter the following as his latest views on the subject of immigra- tion, theme, he says, that is attracting more attention right now in the blizzard blasted northwest than all of our politics:
 ''As a matter of syllogistic reasoning the way to raise taxes is to enhance val ues, the way to enhance values is to in- crease production, and the way to in- crease production is to induce honest intelligent labor to come to Alabama. The question then resolves itself to this: How shall we induce immigration? Ad- vertiSe our unparalleled and diversified resources, that cannot be excelled by any country in the world. Taking her natur-
  bama is unequalled. Agriculturally speaking, we raise anything but the most tropical fruits. Where in the tropics they can produce one thing, in Alabama we can produce a dozen. AS to our mineral resources, the juxtaposition of coal, iron and limestone places Alabama at the head of all mineral producing states"
 What plan would you suggest that Alabama should adopt to secure immi- gration?"
 q will liken Alabama to vast store house in which has been deposited a va riegated and well assorted stock of goods necessary for the wants and suStenance of the world. But her doors are closed. the blinds are down, no lights are emitted from within, no advertisement to blazon to the world what her possessions are, no active salesman to show customers our goods and wares and, according to Bible phraseoIogy our. light is under bushel Now the idea is, as with well conducted mercantile establishment, open up our doors and show our wares. Advertise to the world, who are resting in blissful ig- norance as to what our resources con- sist-our vast possessions-place ener- getic men on the road to drum the cor ners of the earth, and there will be @ flood of immigration into our state that will not only result in prosperity to Ala bama but will prove of great beneficence to those who come.
 Primarily speaking, when God made an acre of land he made man to work it. The over-crowded populations of foreign countries are seeking these homes, and the waste places of Alabama are awaiting their assistance. and when these two instrumentalities meet not only will the waste places be made glad and flourish like the green bay tree. but so will the heart of the hardy immigrant and the good state of Alabama. My cal culation is that you can bring an fmmi- grant to this country cheaper than you can rear homefolks and I hold that when the state of Alabama induces an honest, strong and industrious man. who is a producer, that he himself represents 5000.
 'I really think the best thing for Ala bama today is to pave the way for the next legislature to create an immigra- tion bureau. It would bring to the state dollars for dimes. Whenever the state does this. then 1t will stimulate outside influences to act, and appreciating.,, as they do, the necessity of such a move men, the railroads would not hesitate to contribute liberally"
 Commissioner Lane is on his way to