Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-15
HOMESEEKeRs. ASSOCIATION
National Headqualterss.Moved Here Prom
Chicago. -... -
Representative 0nnn Speaks of the
Methods ana Aims of the
OrEaAixufiOn.

Lie -11OHftSeSheT1f ABSOCldllOH mas re-
moved its national Headquarters from Chi
cago to this city, and the officers are now
preparing for very tactive work. The OBJ
Ject of the association is to induce indus
trious people to leave the overcrowded
cities and settle on some of the millions Of
fertile but 'unoccupied land in the southern
and western states, where their labor will
at least return them a living and In time
give them pleasant homes.
The officers of the association are: Rep
resentative James Gum of Idaho, pres:
dent; Marcus p. Beebe, president of the
Bank OF Ipswich, South Dakota, and Col.
Frank Dryden of Maryland. vice presi-
dents; George E. Girlrng, editor of the Irri-
CATION Age, secretary and treasurer, and
the Rev. DR.. John Rusk, pastor of the Mill
tant Church of Chicago, chairman of the
board OF trustees. 49,.
In speaking to correspondent President
Gum said:
I'VE want the people to go on to the land
where they will become self-supporting.
Charity is well enough in it's way, but it
tends to make men dependent. The object
of the Homeseekers Association is to make
men Independent. There are plenty of
worthy. industriously inclined men, skilled
and unskillled workmen, who realize that
the cities are overerowded, and that the
best thing for men to do, who are uncertain
as to employment, is to go out onto the
land. God knows there is plenty of fertile
land in the United States awaiting the
touch of the pillow to yield abundant
harvest. Whenever a fellOW-man does
anything toward getting these landless men
located where they can at least make
honest living he is doing a humane and
benevolent act
I'VE are not looking after all the unem-
ployed, by any means. We aim to help
those who have a desire to help them
selves. But there are plenty of honest, in
teillgent, Industrious men who are having
a i'm n ir,f ha fl.,l
cities. Let us help them, that they may
become self-supporting and prosperous
cltizens, an honor to the country.
L am now In correspondence with the
governors OF the various states and other
prominent personages, and the plan of the
association is meeting with unqualified in
dcrsement Members of the national ex-
ecutlve committee have been elected or APP
pointed In half the states, and l expect
within a week or so all the states and ter
ritor1es In the Union will be represented
me association is not a money-making
II stitution. 1t is purely philanthropic in
purpose. None OF the officers receive any
salaries or other compensation, and the
governing body is not interested in the
sale OF land anywhere. The expense is met
by voluntary contributions So far 1 have
pcrne much of 1t myself. 1t is one Of the
most benehcent of movements for the up
HitinS or humanity, and 1t should meet
with enthusiastic popular approval"
In discussing the history of the organiza-
NioLI, TIC SSIietdI y, IeOTSe l.. GlrllnS. said.
The Homeseekers' Association was or
ganlzed about three years ago It's origi-
majors were a few OF the active beneyo-
lent gentlemen of Chicago who were ready
70 10 'ake up what they felt to be work for
the betterment of humanity, for the en-
larslnS OF the field of usefulness of the
Worklngman, for giving to labor a greater
snare OF the wealth 1t creates for giving
a wider opportunity to those who are seek
Ing to raise themselves from the dead level
OF the life of the wage-worker. and for
surrounding the average man with better
social. industrial and educational condi-
lions. 1t was thought that the fundamen-
tai purpose could best be accomplished by
taking up first the turning of the tide OF
immigration from the larger cities to the
country farms and smaller towns.
1T was found that method of practical
benefit to those in quest Of homes was to
furnish them with reliable information as
to the localities in which they were inter.
ested and which they, could not obtain
pense. Then to educate the people to a
proper appreciation of country homes by
means of public lectures, illustrated by
stereopticon views and supplemented by
descriptive literature prepared by eminent,
conservative, substantial men, competent
to express opinions reliable and trust
worthy.
I've have held public meetings in a num-
Ger OF cities, and are now arranging for
more. Last September first nationa!
convention was held in Chicago and an
Other. will be held during the coming sum
mer."
1t is desired that representatives from
every state and territory in the Union at
tend the second national convention bring
ing with them all the facts and statistics
obtain&ble regarding their states, as to re-
sources, both agricultural and mineral; re-
ligious and educational privileges. trans
portation facilities and climatic advan-
,tages. This information will be published
by the association and distributed among
those whom it will benefit From letters
now in the hands of the secretary it woull
appear as though the attendance would be
very large.