The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-08-12
sneciaI 20 The Journal.

l.
Gilchrist has received from Hon. T.
V. Powderly, chief of the bureau of
immigration and naturalization of the
United States department Of com
merce and labor, the following letter,
and the governor would be pleased
to hear from any organizations or
persons VINO may be interested IN the
subject-matter Of the letter:
Information Wanted.
Department of Commerce and La
Dor, Bureau of immigration and
Naturalization, Washington, July 8,
1909.
Hon Albert W. Gilchrist, Governor,
State Of Florida, Tallahassee, Fla
Sir: Accompanying this you will
find copy Of Section 40 Of the I'm
migration Act of February 20, 1907,
which provides for the establishment
of a division Of information. That
section prescribes that, TT shall be
the duty OF said division TO promote
a beneficial distribution OF aliens ad-
mttIed into the United States among
the several states and territories de-
string immigration" To accomplish
that result, Correspondence shall be
had with the proper officials OF the
states and territories, and said di-
vision shall gather from all available
sources useful information regarding
the resources, products, and physical
characteristics Of each state and ter
ritory."
The division would be glad to OBJ
tain from you, or from such officials
Of your state as may be in possession
of such data, the latest publications
giving such information as is indi
Gated above. Any pamphlet, bulletin,
or other matter dealing in whole or
in part with the subject, will be well
coined.
Agricultural Development.
Under the heading useful infor-
nation" may be classed all agTiCul-
tural and Industrial development,
whether the same be Of public or pri-
vate nature. The addresses Of con-
Germs, if no other Information is
available, will be of value to the di-
vision in that it will enable us to in
form admitted aliens, and such
these resources or interests OF your
state.
Many inquiries come to the division
calling for information as to where
vacant lands may be had. To answer
these questions the division Of tnfor-
nation would be glad to cooperate
with your state in directing the at
tention Of admitted aliens and others
to such opportunities for settlers.
Have you vacant lands under control
of the state? Are you prepared to
advise US where unOccupied farms
may be obtained, and, If SO, can you
direct US to the person or persons
controlling themf It Is the aim of
the division of information to ascer-
tain where every available acre Of
land may be situated IN each state
and territory; whether improved, and
If so, how; kinds Of crops and num-
Der per year; proximity TO transpor-
tation lines, rail and water, and such
other information as may suggest it
self to you or that you may have at
hand.
State Agents.
Section 40 provides that, when
any state or territory appoints and
maintains an agent to represent it at
any of the immigrant stations Of the
United States, they. the said agents
shall be governed by certain rules"
Has any action been taken by your
state in the direction Of appointing
such an agent or agents2 If so, We
afforded him or them to properly and
successfully carry on their work. In
case no such agent has been appoint
ed, it is urged that consideration be
given the matter.
The division of information has had
extended correspondence with COM
mercial and industrial bodies through
out the country on the subject Of
turning the tide Of desirable aliens
to localities which are peculiarly in
need OF them We are therefore war
ranted in believing that unskilled Ia
borers, particularly farm laborers,
settlers, homeseekers and domestics
who are able and willing to work may
find avenues through which their ac-
tivities may be directed to mutual
success. While these bodies, boards
of trade, chambers Of commerce, etc,
do not represent the states, they no
doubt reflect the prevailing senti-