The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-17
FARMERS SPECIAL
 IN PRATTV|LLt Notable Address Is Made By
 M. V. Richards IMMIGRATION WILL HELP MT. Richards Tells Farmers That They Should Not Oppose Immigration,
 as Most Foreigners Be-
 come Good Citizens.
IMMIGRATION WILL HELP

Prattville January 6-(Special. )-The special train on the Mobile and Ohio railroad, carrying the officials of that road and those representing the agricultural departments of the United States gov ernment and Alabama, arrived in Pratt vile this morning. Notwithstanding the threatening weather, a good crowd as sembled at the courthouse to hear and to meet the distinguished speakers Hon. Mac A. Smith acted as chairman of the meeting. The first address was made by State Commissioner of Agriculture J. A. Wilkinson, who urged the farmers of the south to take advantage of the great op- portunities around them. Chairman Smith next introduced M. V. Richards, land and industrial agent for the Mo- bile and Ohio railroad.
 MT. Richards spoke for about 50 min utes. He referred to the close relation that should exist between the railroads and the people. He spoke of the great obstacles, consisting of mountains and rivers, through which his road had to be built. But his road believed that the bCAAibOAJ anu bllS PNOplc Ol lAAC SOuNh 6CAC worth the effort. He urged the farmers not to be discouraged over the obstacles of life, but in every way to take advan- tage of every opportunity within their reach, to make this great and populous country. He dwelt at some length on the subject of immigration. He stated that the southern people were making a great 4l.t. stated that he felt that he was a south erner, and it was his duty to talk plain to them. He referred to the prejudice among some against so many immigrants who landed every year at Castle Gar den.
 Mir Richards told of Bohemian fam fly who resided near him in his boyhood days. He stated that the members of this family are among his very best friends, and they are making good citizens. He urged the southern people not to make mistake in opposing such immigrants. He asked the southern farmers to take his word for 1t and aid in securing such citi- zens to own 40 or 80 acres of land.
 "D,r't make a mistake and want a man who is always satisfied to work for you" he said. Encourage him to do this. The man whom we want on the farms today Is the man who VIII go out Wltn nlS aX on his shoulder and earn a living for his wife and children. That is the man we should cooperate with and encourage. If you have 1000 acres of land, secure some of these citizens and sell them some of the land and the remainder will be more valuable"
 He referred to a German, who, several years ago, settled in Nebraska in an un- inhabitated place. Many thought that this German was a fool and the railroad was criticised for locating him in such place. This German proved a nucleus for a colony and the last time the speaker saw him he was taking something to town to sell It Is a good idea for the farmer to carry to town something to sell every time they visit it. We want more people down here in the south. He referred to a col ony of Italians who are located along his road and who are making useful and good citizens.
 MT. Richards was followed by the fol- lowing official of the Mobile and Ohio railroad, who made pointed addresses:
 C. A. Pigford, superintendent of the transportation department; c. F. Blue, su- perintendent of ways and structures; M. L. Henderson, land and industrial de- partment; Louis Cardinal, travelling freight agent; J. B. Murphey, trainmaster, Montgomery division.