The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-11

he got in communication with Commls- cioner Sargent over the phone and en deavored to arrange a meeting In that city between the committee and the commissioner, but the latter was just preparing to make a trip to Chicago, and the meeting was in consequence thereof deferred. It is expected, how ever, that MT. Sargent will communi- cate with Chairman Smith and appoint a date when he will meet the repre- sentatives of the railroads and the out laying of a plan whereby the desired end may be attained.
 General Passenger Agent Smith, In discussing the matter yesterday, stat cd that he was firmly convinced that the opportunity presented for the South to secure @ desirable class for utiliza- ton in the agricultural areas, and In the trades generally, was too great to bo disregarded
 q discussed the matter thoroughly with Secretary Mayo, of our Progress sive Union, before leaving to attend the General Passenger Agents meeting, and had determined. if possible, to meet Commissioner Sargent during my stay East In the discussion which ensued at the meeting of the Southeastern Passenger Association when the pro- gressive Union communication to MT. Richardson was read, I was glad to note the practical unanimity on the part of the passenger representatives of the Southern lines ih the matter Of course, the railroads are largely in- terested in the immigration proposi tion. It follows that the settlement of an unproducing territory by an agri- culturist means a much larger traffic, both freight and passenger; the insti- tuition of new towns, of industrial plants, in addition to an increase of population. also an increase In the pro ductiveness of the territory, and the per capita wealth.
 As I understand from Commissioner Sargent's letter to the Progressive Un- ion, he has made certain recommenda- tions to Congress, one of which, inclu- ed in Senate bill No. AIS, introduced in the Fifty eighth Congress is to estab- fish an information bureau at Ellis Is- land. This bureau I take 1t will be controlled and directed by the govern ment and in addition to preparing in- formation calculated to prove of val ue to immigrants, will also have a file for distribution. and also for reference, advertising matter and detailed infor- nation from all parts of the country, offering inducements to agriculturists and labor generally. While myself
 
 sion as to exactly what course to be able to pursue. the fact suggests itself to me that if the information bureau be established at Ellis Island, the rail- roads and commercial exchanges will be enabled to work in harmony there with, and by a system of cooperation with the government authorities, be enabled to relieve the immigration de- partment of much anxiety, and at the same time provide many of these im- migrants with homes and permanent locations.
 q expect to see Commissioner Sar- gent in the course of the next eight or ten days, when, with the members of my committee. we will thresh out the proposition and see what we can do to- wards taking care of the immigrants and locating them in Louisiana, but naturally the aim of our committee will be to locate them in the South, where they will not only be happy and con- tented. I hope, but will contribute largely to the future prosperity of this entire section of country"