The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-16

The subject OF immigration IS one that
for the past year OF two has occupied the
minds OF many OF the progressive citizens
not only % the Pacific Northwest states
and OF British Columbia. but or many
other sections OF the United states and
Canada and this year there Is perhaps as
much or more interest taken in IL by the
people Of Washington than al any pre-
vious time. This interest here Is not
wholly due to the work OF the state i'm
migration board or TO the particular en-
ergy OF the King county bureau, put IS
much as anything 10 the season and con-
dition OF the times and the agitation and
development OF the mineral resources or
this country. Then, too. the railway
people are alert and. with the present
prospects for returning prosperity all
over the East. each lire terminating on the
north coast is reaching out and seeking
its share OF the prospective trafffc.
Speaking en- this all important subject
George A. Batty general agent for the
Wisconsin Central lines, whose head
quarters is in Portland. said:
II believe this year our people by con-
certed and well directed effort should
push this question OF immigration for all
there is IN il, because II the work is 81
lowed 10 lag or drop here other sections.
especially In the South and Southwest. viii
get very many OF the people who should
come TO the Coast and who will Il in
diligently treated with and handled. The
railways are not Indifferent 10 the matter
and every traffic man from Chicago west
is perfectly willing TO do his share. i. E.,
they will publish and distribute litera-
ture and cooperate with our people in
any and every way; but the railways can
not be expected TO contribute money 10
either state or local organizations, for the
very good reason that If they do so in one
section it would be necessary TO do so in
many others. especially for those along
the lines Of their respective roads.
''In my opinion the better way is for the
local and state organizations 10 raise their
funds for a year or to continue publishing
and distributing the Washington State
Monthly in quantities of 100000 or even
200.eoo instead OF ~ 00o. select a we'll posted,
reliable man as commissioner-one who
can personally treat with the railway
managers there-and place him in Chi
cago with funds enough back of him 10
maintain good working force OF men to
do exactly the same character OF work
that travelling statesmen and travelling
freight and passenger agents are required
TO do. Instead. however, of working with
consumers of goods and merchants, these
travelling immigration agents should edu-
cate and cultivate those who are known
TO be seeking q change. and the railway
ticket agent and people who would be
most interested and likely 10 aid in the
work. An intelligent and well-informed
travelling agent, equipped with the Wash
ington State Monthly, with money enough
in his pocket to do business, who under
stands handling people. and aided and
supported by the Eastern agents OF our
terminal lines. working in with the local
railway agents. could cause very many
good people and families to come to the
Coast who cannot be reached and con-
WINGED by newspapers or correspondence,
or in any other way
Then, when progress was being made.
railways interested might he reasonably
al pcaled to Cor aid IN meeting the month
ly expense and for many concessions that
would aid. l can safely say for the man
agement OF the Wisconsin Central lines
that every one of it's numerous Eastern
general and travelling agents would be in
structed to help I'm such work.
"As matters stand now are dis
tributing copies of the Washington State
Monthly. the Pacific Northwest tan imrni-
grafton paper published by the Pacific
Northwest Immigration Board in Port
land and such other reliable and i'm
personal publications as can be procured.
AS one permanently located in this
country. / should like TO see the cause OF
| immigration pushed with vigor for the
next year or two"