The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-03-04
STATE NEEDS ADVERTISING.

confederation OF Commercial cluDS
held at Deadwood recently the matter
of establishing a state department OF
immigration for the purpose of ad-
,vertising the resources of South Da-
kota was given much consideration,
and was strongly endorsed by every
delegate present representing many
commercial and business clubs from
all parts of the state.
At this meeting resolutions were
adopted outlining the work Of the
commissioner Of immigration and
recommending an appropriation of
$4,000 annually to carry on the work.
The establishment of a distinct and
separate bureau of immigration in
charge of a competent commissioner
with a liberal appropriation for the
purpose of advertising the state
would be one of the most beneficial
pieces of legislation to the entire
state that our legislature could enact
into law.
South Dakota, although one of the
richest states in the middle west,
with vast undeveloped resources in
agriculture, stock raising, mining and
manufacturing, is about the poorest
advertised state in the Union. To
prove this you need only to go into
the Eastern states and find what per-
verted and incorrect ideas many of
the people have of South Dakota. The
prevailing opinion among people ex-
cept those who have been in the state
or who have friends or relatives liv-
ing here from whom they receive in
formation is that South Dakota is half
desert and wilderness, drouth strick-
en- and blizzard infected.
A dissemination of the facts as to
u ~undeveloped resources and await
ing opportunities through the work
of a bureau of immigration would
work a wonderful transformation in
the minds Of the uniformed and
would bring thousands Of homeseek-
ers and investors to South Dakota,
adding many thousands of dollars to
our wealth.
This is a work that has been put
off too long-it should have been
started years ago. But now with the
opening up of the entire western part
of South Dakota it is doubly expedi-
ent that the state take immediate
action. We know what our resources
are, we know that we have millions Of
acres that need farmers and that our
Black Hills have untold millions of
undiscovered and ~undeveloped wealth.
Too long has South Dakota been lin
gering in the shadow of publicity.
West Of the Missouri river much
OF the land has become vacant by the
majority Of the land being taken by
people who were not in a position to
remain on the land and farm II.
Hence millions of acres with a black
soil from two to ten feet deep, as
rich as any soil that was ever touch
ed by a pillow Is waiting development.
These undeveloped acres will respond
to the touch Of Industrious and ener-
getic farmers and add thousands of
dollars Of wealth to cur state.
North Dakota, through her immi-
grafton bureau. has brought thou
sands Of farmers to the state and
South Dakota could have done the
same. Go most anywhere in the
United States and you will find North
Dakota q better advertised state than
South Dakota. AS an illustration of
what North Dakota has done, take
the town Of Lemon in the northwest
corner OF this state. The town has
five elevators and the farmers of
North naHnfo ha,,1ad ,rosn ;-k~
on last fall by the thousands of BUSH
els for twenty to sixty miles. They
were Industrious farmers induced to
settle in North Dakota by the efforts
OF the commissioner Of immigration.
The opponents of the creation of
this department take the ground that
the state cannot afford the expense.
Indirectly the commissioner of immi.
grafton II given an adequate appro-
priation to enable him to accomplish
results will increase the assessed
~)aluation In the state which will pro-
duce Increased revenue from taxes
to equal the amount appropriated
and the expense of the department
will Indirectly not cost the state one
cent.
A gentleman from Iowa said, I'VE
hope South Dakota will not create a
department. of immigration, for they
Will take too many of our good farm
ers." North Dakota Is spending $40.
900 annually for this work, and I un.
derstand Minnesota will spend $780,
900, and South Dakota with her mill.
IONS Of unframed acres and undeyel-
oped industries and is not
spending anything. If an adequate
appropriation Of at least $40. 900 annu-
ally is not made for this work. Won.
derful opportunities for advertising
che state IN the next two years will
be lost and q mistake will be made
that will be regretted by farmer and
business alike. E. A. WHITE
Executive Committee, State Confeden
alton Of Commercial Clubs.