The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1902-09-27
COLONIZATION PLANS.
Arkansas and Other States and Terri.
tories to be Made Inviting
to Home Seekers.
From the Republic.

From the Republic.
The great Southwest will be colon
lied. This was decided here today by
the unanimous vote of the passenger
officials representing the railroads ira
versing that section of the United
States, at the second meeting of gem
eral conference held at the headquarters
of the Southwestern passenger bureau
in st. Louis.
Rates and dates have been agreed
upon. 1t was agreed that a colonist
rate of one-half of one fare plus 81 for
one way tickets be promulgated, the
basis to apply from all Southwestern
passenger bureau terminals to all points
in the homeseekers territory to be first
effective on the the third Tueday of
next October and to continue on every
homeseekers date to the end of April.
The dates are to be the first and third
Tuesdays of every month. The home
seekers rate, which has long been
effective will continue to be one fare
plus 81 for the round trip, effective on
the same dates. This arrangement will
enable homeseekers to accompany land
agents on round trips of inspection in
the country to be colonized and in add.
ton give low rates one way for col0nists
who may decide to move to the states
and territories of the Southwest on the
reports submitted by the homeseekers.
1t was also recommended by the pas
senger officials that central bureau be
organized, with headquarters in st.
Louis with a general immigration agent
in charge, to be under the management
of four active members. This bureau
will be necessary to carry out the plans
for advertising the Southwest by setting
forth in pamphlet form the resources,
climate, government, etc. Of the lands
to be occupied. The four principal
gateways to the Southwest, st, Loniis,
Kansas City, Memphis and New Or
leans, will be invited to work with the
central bureau in pushing the colonial
ton scheme and locating industries on
the various lines of railroad.
The passenger also contemplate asking
the freight departments of their respec-
tive railroads to agree upon reduction
in the freight rates upon emigrant NOV
ables, effective on the same dates as the
passenger rates. 1t was stated by the
representatives present at yesterday 6
meeting that this recommendation
would be rs sure to 90 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 town or city, and in
many instances to points for the location
of new towns. The territory embraced
IN the colonization scheme covers the
greater part of Missouri, a large section
of Louisiana and all of Arkansas, Texas
Oklahoma and the Indian Territory
All roads will use the same rates and
dates, but will be free to colonize any
and all points In the sections traversed
in these states and territories. There
will be no restriction as to territory.
Officials of the lines, members Of the
Southwestern passenger bureau, state
that the recommendation Of this col.
onization scheme unites the interests OF
all lines In the Southwest and insures
the reorganization of the bureau upon
stronger lines than ever before For
the purpose of reorganization 1t was de-
cided today that meeting Of the South.
western Passenger Bureau be called for
October 9th. Approval Of the action of
the two days conference by the execu.
tive officers Is assured. And ut the
meeting on October 9th the colonization
recommendation will be submitted for
formal adoption, which is an action