The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-22
Railways Combine to CoI0nize
the Southwest.
Low Rates Announced For Those
Seeking New Homes.
KANSAS is INCLUDED.
Part Of the Immigration Will
Come Our Way.
Important Conference at st.
Louis Is Closed.

Representatives of twelve railroad
systems of the south and west have
practically completed the details OF an
extensive colonization work in the
southwest along the lines of these
roads. The purpose is to induce a
greater volume OF traffic to this part of
the country than is possible by the indi-
vidual efforts of the roads interested.
The roads which have entered this
combine are the Santa Fe. Frisco.
Katy, Missouri Pacific. Iron Mountain,
Choctaw, Southern Pacific. Ell Paso &
Nol theastern, Texas & Pacific, Fort
Worth & Denver City. Kansas City
Southern, San Antonio & Arkansas Pass
and the Cotton Belt.
Representative of these lines have
just closed an important conference IL
st. Louis. at which the details of the
immense undertaking were discussed.
1t is proposed to catch a large por-
ton of the immigrant traffic which mas
been going to the northwest The plans
to be followed are in general those
which have been used in recent years
by the railroads of the northwest. Lit
erature will be prepared and generously
distributed setting forth the advantages
of the southwestern country for farm
ing, horticulture, mining and stock rails
ing.
This will be supplemented by ex-
tremely low rates for home seekers"
excursions and every inducenent posi-
bic will be offered to prospective set
tiers. South Missouri, Arkansas. Louis
lana, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma and In
dian Territory are especially included in
the railroads plans. The country offers
wide field for development.
Rates and dates have been agreed
upon. 1t was recommended that a col
onist rate of half of one fare plus So
for one-way tickets be promulgated
the basis to apply from all Southwest
ern Passenger bureau terminals to all
points in the homeseekers' territory, to
be first effective on the third Tuesday
of next October and to continue on ev-
cry homeseekers' date to the end of
April. The dates are to be the first and
third Tuesdays in every month.
The homeseekers' rate, which has long
been effective. will continue to be one
on the same dates. This arrangement
will enable homeseekers to accompany
land agents on round trips of inspec.
ton in the country to be colonized, and
in addition give low rates one way for
colonists who may decide to move into
the states and territories of the south
west on the reports submitted by the
homeseelxers.
The passenger officials also contem-
plate asking the freight departments of
their respective railroads to agree upon
a reduction in the freight rates on emi-
grant movables. effective on the same
stated by the representatives present at
the meeting that this recommendation
would be as sure to go through as the
low passenger rates.
The colonization plan adopted differs
from that Of the northwestern roads
The latter lines have generally made
rates to all common points, usually the
large cities of the northwest. The COL
onist rates to the southwest will be
made to all points. without regard to
the population of a town or city, and in
many instances to points for the loca-
ton of new towns.