The Washington times., 1904-12-13
WOULD DISThIBUTE
Immigrants SOUTH
Sargent Advocates Sending
Aliens There.
RAILWAY MEN CONSULTED
Scheme to Improve Industrial Condi-
tions-Would Aid in Solving
Negro Problem.

A movement has been launched in the
Department of Commerce and Labor
which. the immigration authorities as
sert. II the plan proposed is enacted
into law by Congress. VIII result IN
improving industrial conditions In the
South and aid partly in solving the
negro problem.
1t is proposed 10 divert the tide Of i'm
migration toward the Southern States.
infusing new blood into their Industrial
and agricultural life. and at the same
time relieving New York and other
large cities of the congestion and popu-
lation which "A becoming more acute
year by year.
Discussed Ways and Means.
This movement has been suggested
from time TO time. but il IS only now
beginning 10 take form and substance,
Yesterday the passenger agents oI
Southern railroads and of Eastern ana
Western railroads having Southern con-
necuons met in the office OF 1mmlgra-
tion Commissioner Frank +. Sargent
10 discuss with that official ways and
means OF inducing immigrants to 20
South In addition 10 COMMISSIONS sar-
gent and his associates, the following
were present;
A. Ii. Hanson. of Chicago; c. L. Stone
Of Louisville; John n Beall, OF 81
Louis: ". /. Danley. OF Nashville w;
H. TaylOe of Washington, ID. Z, ana
W. ]. Craig. Of Wilmington \. g an
general passenger agents, and Nj, v.
Ricbards- of Washington, d. e., w. II.
Gessner and ]. ". White, OF FoIts-
mouth. Va, land and immigration
agents Of various roads.
Beneficial Legislation.
The conference was begun al . o'clock
ana continued until late in the after
noon. An understanding was reached,
and while the department can DO moth
ing beyond making recommendation TO
Congress. il is the expectation that the
day's meeting viii be followed BY an
agitation which viii result in beneficial
legislation.
Nr. Sargent outlined his ideas at great
length. and In the main they met with
the approval OF the railroad men, Mho
EXPRESSED their willingness 70 cooper
ate with She Government IN carrying
oHt any policy that mlght pS auop .,ii SeNi a
The plan proposed Is simple, Dut II VIII
require money and the consent OF CoH-
gress TO put IL into effect he proposes
that the Government shall 10 a CONSIDER :
able extent control the movement or
aliens after their arrival IN american
pOrts but would do this by moral sua-
sion rather Than By force.
Bureau Of Information.
Tie would have Il so arranged that
immigrants would be sent by oflclals
OF the Government 10 the sections that
would prove most advantageous 20 them.
He would establish at Ellis Island "A
bureau Of information TO be used by
persons IN ttIis country who are in need
OF labor. and by the prospective Amer
lean citizen who Is seeking home Tor
himself and his family.
The immigrant would be told all ne
wanted 90 know about the United
States. tie climate. resources, cost OF
living. and the comparative advantages
OF the various sections. Special atten-
ton would be given 10 exhibits reflect
ing conditions throughout the country,
as far as they might interest the I'M
migrant. This. in a general way. IS the
policy outlined today by the COmmis-
siOnef General If Congress takes up
the subject for consideration II VIII be