The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-11
TO TURN IMMIGRATION
 TOWARD THE SOUTH
PASSENGER AGENTS MAKING SAT-
 ISFACTORY PROGRESS.
Vo Divert Them from New York Ia the ObJect of Commissioner of Immf- grafton F. F. sarget of Ellis Is-
 land Bureau.

Brooklyn Eagle.
 Early in October the press dispatch es contained an announcement to the effect that Commissioner of Immigra- ton E. P. Sargent had made certain rec concentrations in regard to future ac- ton on the part of the United States government in connection with the ad- mission of immigration generally into the United States. It was the opinion of Commissioner Sargent that the ever Increasing danger caused by the con oentration of immigration in the City of New York, and it's more immediate surrounding commercial centers, oe- manded some action on tie par. ot Son on. eress or the proper authorities, says the New Orleans Picayune, which wouio prevent this concentration. and force the ever-increasing current represented by individuals of all classes rom Eu- rope seeking new homes in this coun. try into the suburban sectlonss ano chiefly into the agricultural areas which are at present crying TOT set tiers.
 Tollowinr this publication, the New orleans Proeressive Union entered into oo.respondence with Commissioner Bar get in order to ascertain what probable steps would be taken by the Depart unent of Commerce and Labor, to which Department Commissioner Sarget be- longs, in regard to the subject mat ter. It was the belief of the Progress sive Union Board of Directors that here was a splendid chance for the South and the vacant territory contigu- ous and tributary to New Orleans, to secure a large portion of the fmmigra- tion now concentrating, according to Commissioner Sargent, in the large cit- ies and congesting all avenues Of hu- man effort with undesirable material, while the agricultural portions of the South were offering every inducement possible in immigration in the shape of low-prioed lands, and every factor cal oulated to lead to an immediate liveli- hood and future prosperity.
 In addition to consulting with Com missioner Sargent, whose reply to the Progressive Union seemed to indicate that he would be glad indeed to have that organization assist in the work of directing immigration into the South, the proposition was submitted to the Southeastern Passenger Association, through Commissioner Richardson, Of Atlanta, and the matter received con- siderable attention at the recent meet ing of that Association. The Progress sive was there represented by Gearge R. Smith, General Passenger Agent of the New Orleans and Northeastern Rail- road, of this city and a member of hte Progressive Board of Directors. MT. Smith naturally took a great and d. rect interest in the proposition, as it seemed in his opinion to afford an op- portunfty of adding largely to the popu- lation of Louisiana, and locating many hundreds if not thousands, of people to the territory out of which New Or leans and the railroads generally draw the bulk of their patronage.
 Mir Smith, who returned a day or two since from the East has advised Secretary Mayo of the Progressive Un- ion that the general passenger agents representing the lines in the Jurisdic- ton of the Southeastern Passenger As- sociation, after a thorough discussion of the subject concided with MT. Smith and the Progressive Union and appoint ed committee to act in conjunction with Commissioner Sargent. and to bend every effort toward introducing immigration into the South, and to pro- vide ways and means to carry on an aggressive campaign in this connection. The committee appointed, of which George H. Smith is the chairman, is composed of General Passenger Agents J. M Beal of the Mobile and Ohio Rail- road, St. Louis; C. L. Stone of the Louisville and Nashville, Railroad, Louisville; A H. Hanson of the Illinois Central. Chicago; W. s. Taloe, Southern Railway, Atlanta; W. L. Danley, Nash vile, Chattanooga and St. Louis Rail- way. Nashville. Tenn, and W. J. Craig Of the Atlantic Coast Line, Wilmington, N. c.
 Prior to MT. Smith leaving New York