New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-20
ENCOURAGED AT THE OUTLOOK.
COMMANDER BOOTH.TUCKER DISCUSSES THD
COLONIZATION SCHEME OF THE
SALVATION ARMY

Commander Booth Tucker OF the Salvation Army
talked with Tribune reporter yesterday afternoon
In regard to his colonization scheme. He spoke
first OF all OF the interest the Western railroads
mad shown, and mentioning the special kindness
SHOWN by President Ripley and e-President Nor
ton. OF the Santa Fe road. he said: They placed
a private car at my disposal. and took two trips
with Industrial Commissioner Davis and Land Com
missioner Frost OF the road We visited large
tracts in Colorado and New-Mexico. and some OF
them were excellent. Already the army has re-
ceived the offer OF one hundred thousand acres Of
land admirably situated in twenty-three States So
lar as land goes. we have opportunities second to
none Ihere is the vast plateau east OF the Rock
les It's climate Is the most perfect in the world
The land slopes from an elevation OF six thousand
feet to two thousand. 1t seems as II some great
giant had swept 1t smooth with his hand Here
and there are natural depressions exceen; for
reservoirs There is a market on the right and q
market on the left for all the produce. The region
may become poor mans paradise.
Some say the poor men will not leave the cities
They won't now, and there is a reason for f. The
farmer lays four restrictions upon him: First he
can be employed In the summer only: second he
can stay there as long he is single third he
can earn $40 a month and no more: fourth he will
not acquire any land for his labor. No wonder
the city man says: Thank you for nothing: pre-
fSrss to stay where am We viii DO away with
want want him winter and summer We buy the land in
expect an exodus from 1' the [ ciIes without any
asking on our part five hundred families are al.
ready on our books In San Francisco a number OF
people began 70 pack up as the plan was
announced Their cry not, Klondike and
Dust! but salvation Army colony bust" After
the panic OF 1873 four million people left our cities
ana two hundred and fifty thousand farms were
taken up. That movement took place higgle-de-
plSgledy: now 1t can certainly be made much
more advantageously under guidance
we calculate that 1t will about $500 to set
up one famy-s3O0 for supplying his farm and 500
LOT MIN TO turn around until he gets going
BY paying 81 week he will be the owner OF his
place In five years. Can IL be done. IL IS being
done. There Is a town ROCKFORD, In Colorado
where the people have settled under such sys-
and am convinced of their success. The banker
OF the place told me he had three hundred de-
positors.
"Colonsts usually discouraged at the start
by the baroness of their homes. We propose to
have the houses furnished a little Then clover
will have been planted for their cattle half-acre
Of vegetables will be planted for each farm and
loan association will be ready for working order.
This association will use the Raifresen system,
which has been used In Germany for more than
forty years, and has been successfully introduced
into France, Austria, Scandinavia and England.
I'VE want to get the three million surplus popu.
lation away from cities. These people will
then relieve taxes. But not only that. they
will create a new demand for the cities wares and
are now the milestone of society will become Its
greatest support
THE Colonization Association will have five trus-
tees. chosen by the principal subscribers They
will issue trust certificates at per cent. Twenty
thousand dollars has already been subscribed. and
we hope the scheme may be launched at the meet
ing In Carnegie Hall on November 30"