Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-11-01
Italians for Texas.

tSd'IduS iOt bSNdo'
The South is peculiarly rich in nat
| ural resources which are as yet but
partially developed. Authorities appear
to be agreed that this section of the
country does not lack for natural adj
vantagcs, but suffers chiefly from the
lack of labor to develop them. The
colored man Of the South is admirably
fitted by nature to do the tasks of la
Dor in that section, but falls far short
of his opportunities through tempera-
mental defects. He is easy going and
|imprOVident, content il he can meet the
creature needs of today, and giving no
thought to the morrow. AS laborer
he is shiftless and unreliable. When
he is content to loaf until the pressure
of necessity drives him to work again.
His employer is unable to tell from
one day to another when he can count
urOn him. 1t is needless to say that
with such a shifting and uncertain la
Dor problem, it is practically impossi-
Bile to plan the putting through of large
Industrial enterprises that demand con-
slant and sustained labor. 1t is not
surprising, therefore, in view of the
sitJation that the South has long been
anxious to secure more constant and
reliable labor supply. This has been
especially true of the great state of
TCXaS-an empire of emplres-Wonder-
blessed with wide diversity of indus
try. 1t is no surprise, therefore, to
learn from a Houston dispatch to the
New York Herald that ar extensive
movement is now on foot through the
assistance OF Baron A Benedath D. AL
ton.orte, to settle some of the rich ag-
riculture lands of that state with Ital-
ian farmers in the belief that such a
move will go far to settle the Texas la
Dor problem
THE Italian farmer said Baron
d Altomonte, IF selected with care,
VIII be found to be the best farmer
IN the world. He is hard working,
Sober, knows his work perfectly
well, and has Il natural love for the
soil. Every farmer in Italy has
side trade as well, and when not
engaged on his farm is at owrl at
his trade There are many far
Tta1V bn
makers, masons, carpenters, wood
carvers. tinsmiths, olacksmiths, etc.
and very good ones, too. The farm
CT does not drink. rarely mikes in
politics, and his first attention is
given to his farm"
do YOU expect to find many
farmers in Italy who are willing to
come to Texas the baron was
asked.
Yes, OF course. There is a pecu-
liar condition of affairs existing in
Italy which makes my work an
easy one. The farming lands OF
Italy are owned in very large part
by great landlords who let them out
to tenants. These tenants pay
very high rent and after this rent
and the taxes imposed by the gov
eminent are paid scarcely anything
remains for the tenant above his
living.
Il am sure they will listen to me.
The proposition | present is sound
and conservative, and they will be
glad of the opportunity to invest
their little capital in Texas, with
the prospect of soon becoming in
dependent and the owners of the
land they cultivate. They can find
no greater opportunity than that
presented in Texas.
Il am very enthusiastic over
these Texas lands. Last week l Wis
tied the Italian settlement at Dick
inson, where about 200 Sicilian FAM
lilies have been living from six to
ten years. They are all prosperous.
The lands which they bought on in
stallments We're paid for in full
within two or three years, and they
are making from $50 to 5000 per
acre growing strawberries. EVERY
one of them has nice little bank
account, every one is happy and all
are glad to have settled in Texas,
The outcome of this experiment will
be awaited with very general interest
| for if successful it is likely to prove the
forerunner of some very radical and
| far reaching changes in industrial con-