The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-22
Percentage


"While certain districts in the south
ern states mentioned have as much as
l per cent Of the foreign-born in the
United States, by far the greater por-
ton of this area has much less than
this small percentage. AS general
statement, this section of the country
has been practically free from the for
eign elements which have become such
a conspicuous factor in our economic
upbuildlng.
What is the reason for this absence
of foreign-born in the south? From va
rious authoritative sources, including
prominent railway officials of the south
ern states, the reply Is: The presence In
the south in large numbers of the negro
race. But is this the fundamental ex-
PLANTATION? The presence in that section
of the negro has no doubt been de-
terrent factor to the immigrant making
his home in the south, but have not
stronger positive forces drawing the i'm
migrant to other sections? Accompanying
the large immigration to our shores
down to about 1900 two very important
factors nave been conspicuous-the
abundant supply of free land in the west,
and the building of railroads which made
this land accessible. Both these factors
have now become of less Importance
nearly all the available free lands have
way development of the west remains
only to be filled in rather than to be
extended.
while records of land sales by Amer
lean railroads during the fiscal year 1904
appear large in the aggregate, as made
up from statements In the annual re-
ports, the average of prices received for
the land indicates that only second grade
lands were Sold and In many cases these
fict ha cIh ~ fr-rter hesfa
they become agriculturaliy productive.
There Is still an immense territory in
the hands OF the western railroads, await
ms an era of irrigation or of some new
developments in intensive agriculture
which shall make 1t profitable for the
companies to sell. During the past year
the receipts of land departments. in some
cases did not pay expenses. Compared
with decades gone by. the rush for new
lands in the western states appears IN
very large measure to have fallen off
These forces then. operate with less
strength than formerly At the same
times vast areas of fertile land in the
south are now being opened by the rail-
roads for settlement and consequently
for greater agricultural and industrial de-
veiopment The statistics of railway con-
struction the past several years place the
south in the front rank of the sections
which are contributing new mileage each
year to the railroad net of the country.
There are indications from other sources
that the industrial south Is awakening
to its opportunities. A number of the
state governments have created immigra-
ton bureaus which are putting forth
efforts to secure immigrants; the more
important southern railroads have es-
tablished immigration departments with
experienced and competent officials at
their head, who are succeeding in d.
verting along their lines a portion of our
immigration stream. The present indus
trial development of the south, following
largely from the investment there of
northern capital, means the opening of
coal and iron mines. the erection of fac
tories and mills. the building of railroads
and like enterprises. There is resulting an
active demand for labor other than that
of the negro which has already begun to
affect change in the direction portion
of the immigrants are taking upon land
ing In the United States. They form, for
the most part. a frugal, Industrious and
peaceable laboring population. What
seems to be most needed at this time
Is greater support from the people of
the south and a more effective adver
Using Of that sections favorable indus
trial and agricultural opportunities. The
prospects for the south are indeed bright,
but they must be made known to the i'm
migrant"