The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-11-27
A GENERAL AWAKENING,
Ten Great Railroads Join 10 az Effort
10 Boom The South.
A CAMPAIGN OF EDUCATION BEGUN.
Bureau Of Publicity Formed and an Initial
Appropriation of Fifty Thousand
Dollars the First Step.

In years past tho Southwestern railroads
have been singularly Indifferent in the
matter Of practical advertising OF the coun-
try along their lines. While some of the
roads have done something I'm that direc-
ton, no road hos maintained anything like
completely equipped advertising depart
ment for the purpose OF setting forth the
advantages OF settlers IN this great domain.
The result has been that much immigra-
ton has been attracted TO the Northwest
Territory, where persistent and efficient
advertising has caught many homeseekers
who would naturally have preferred the
milder climate and superior advantages
of Texas and the Southwest.
Right In Houston at the present time
there Is an agent OF Northern railroad
pushing forward the work Of advertising
the resources and possibilities Of Manitoba
and the Northwest Territory. and it Is
stated that two or three settlers have been
caught right out OF the promised land
Within the past year, however, the South
ern Pacific has been weaving net for
the homeseekers In the shape Of mag
nihceutly equipped advertising department
and immigration bureau. Agents have been
have been employed to deliver lectures In
the crowded sections OF the North and
East. Tons and tons OF attractive adver-
Using matter have been sent broadcast, and
following this the highest officials OF the
passenger traffic department have been
travelling IN person IN the interest Of the
great campaign.
TEN RAILROADS HAVE UNITED.
And now the news comes from St Louis
that ten great railroads have Joined in
bureau Of publicity and Information, and
an appropriation Of $4,000 has been made
to start the work OF Advertising the ad.
vantases OF Texas and the Southwest Tor
settlers. b. w. Thompson, assistant gen
eral passenger agent Of the Rock Islund,
describes II as n movement OF much in
terest. The bureau, he says, VIII be OPP
Grated under the supervision Of a commit
tee Of four men representing the railway
systems Of the Southwest. In addition to a
line OF advertising to be done by the
bureau, It is proposed TO enlist the co.
operation on large scale OF the commercial
organizations and farmers In every town
and county In the great Southwest, secur.
Ing through these agencies letters from
actual settlers aud business men who are
familiar with the varied interests In the
great territory which the roads propose
TO populate and develop.
ORGANIZATION OF THE BUREAU.
The bureau will also publish regularly a
paper devoted to the purposes and interests
that have heen Indicated. great deal OF
| enthusiasm was developed AT the meeting az
| st. Louis among the representatives Of the
different railroads concerned in the move.
mont
Captain Steele, who is to be at the head
| OF the bureau OF publicity. Is said to be
thoroughly qualled He is acquainted
with the land conditions In tho Southwest.
He was formerly an army officer and for
years was located nt different pouts In
t ms, IerTltoTy lie Is QUO Of the best
! Kansas and at one time was associated
! With the lutc Senator John ! Ingalls,,
James l.. King und others In the publica-
{ ton of magazine In that State He Ia
/ thoroughly acquainted With advertising and
| believes iu printers Ink
/ The railroads concerned ia the movement
Include the Chicago, Rock Island and PA,
/ clio, the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fc.
the st Louis aud san Francisco the Mis-
| souri, Pacific, the TeNas and Pacific, tho
Missouri, Kansas and Texas and other
Ines
I'm this campaign Of education, as IN all
things else, the different railroad interests
will vie with each other Up to the pres.
| ent time the Southern Pacific has set the
puce, but this new movement, II appears.
/ starts more nuspiciously than any move.
| ment Of the past At last convinced thar
Texas Is destined TO be the grandest State
IN the Republic In point of wealth. pop.
| ulation and everything else, the railroads
| VIII eNpend barrels OF money In an ~.
fort to enrich themselves with the enor.
| nous passenger and freight traffic which
is bound TO come