Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-09-22
"A VACANT LAND

We can say that from $4,000 to-
100000 thrifty agricultural immigrants
can right now be furnished with farms
In New York state alone said MIR. r..
V. Powdcrly chief of the division or
information, immigration bureau. The
idea among European people that Inn
migrants have to so west OF the AL
leghanies for good. fertile land is II
mistaken one. rhey will find II I'M
New York, in New Hampshire. In Con.
nectlcut. in Massachusetts. in Maine.
In Vermont. and IN every eastern state
Our own people seems To have mcI
same idea on this Particular subject.
AS n matter OF fact, the reverse la
true. since so many persons have gone
west OF the mountains To take up
available farm lands.
In order ITO make the work of this
division Of practical value" continued
Mr.. Powderly 'wc must do more than
tell the newly arrived immigrant that
he can get land in Vermont or Con.
nccticut. That would be little or mol
better than handing him puzzle In
a language he did not understand We
want To tell him 10 20 to II specified
town on given railroad ana meet n
man whose namo we will furnish, who
In turn Will tell him where he can
get Il farm of 10 to 100 acres ut So To-
500 per mere. Meanwhile, we will bel
able to give him all ncccssn,, DATA re.
garding crops. climate etc. Every
body will realize mt once that such "A
system would work most satisfactorily
to- the honest foreigner who seeks n
home hero.
And we want to always be in al
position TO tell man where there is
surplus or a shortage of labor IL
he Is looking for that kind of work III
he is miner, We want to be able to
Itcll him exactly where to go. In every
case we will furnish Information MS To-
ltbe best and shortest route TO travel,
when 10 leave and the time required,
the school facilities for children If The
Immigrant has any, the cost of house
trent, In short to give the Immigrant
IAN the useful information he needs in
order to get properly settled In n ccun.
TRY that is wholly new to him"
Have YOU any special requests now
for immigrants and of what natiDnni'-
Ities?" | asked
Yes was the reply. ~ have today
today requests from the sonthern
Estates for l,3OO immigrants. The re-
quests are for men from the n:!tish
Isles, North Germany, Scandinavian,
and In one of two instances. Italy. AS
La rule few requests for Italian I'M
migrants come from the south. There
are Il vast number of people owning
land in the south who Will pay tho
fare of the Immigrant TO the spot put
him In n house and give him n farm
| of 10. % or 81 acres. The immigrant
would make the first payment on his
| place when able ana then pay just MS
ha could. and no interest would bn
charged. In quite n few places peo
Inplc will not only do this, but will
Ialso furnish seed for the first crops
land food To sustain the immigrant
land his family until they are them
selves food producers.
III the benefit of oiir agricultural
Ireglons were thoroughly known 10
immigrants-that is, those who are
farmers Mt home-not one of chem
would find his way into the crowded
industrial centers or consent to re-.
main there"
| why 1t IL that the greater demand
comes from the south?' was asked.
I THE colorcd people have flocked to
tho towns" replied Mr.. Powdcrly.
1 very lew POSITIONS can be mad by I'M
migrants in southern towns. for the
treason that all but those requiring
technical skill are filled by negroes.
| Even in factory towns not many pos
lions are open TO immigrants But in
lie farming regions desirable men will
be cordially welcomed and many in.
ducements are held out to them. 4 ne
scarcity of farm labor All over q,
country Is opening wide the door OF
opportunity to the substantial immi-
grants who will make good citizens in
the future"
The work Of organizing the new
division Of the immigration bureau is
progressing favorably. Already
great mass OF Information is on nand
but it is not in the desired shape for
use rs suggested above. The new
division Is nothing IL not practical. so
Mr.. Powdery is bending his energies
land wide experience to the task OF
whipping old and new information ill.,
ito usabie Washington Cores
pondent of Woman's National Daily.
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