The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-06
PROSPERITY IS AT
 HAND, SAYS WALKER
Commissioner Urges Cooper
 ation in State Work
CAMPAIGN IS AT HAND
Alabama Can Take First Place ns an Industrial and Commercial Center If the People VIII Unite In
 Their Efforts


 Walker, immigration commissioner of Alabama, in 8 statement which he to- day issued to the press of the state. Using that as basis, the commissioner urges that the fullest cooperation be given him in his work in order that the best returns might be secured.
 In his statement MT. Walker an nounces that the commonwealth has entered upon its greatest industrial growth and that as consequence fine results may be expected as the result of the rigid campaign which he eX- poets to launch within the next week. The commissioner expresses himself as confident that Alabama, with its re- sources, can readily usurp first place as an industrial and as a commercial center, provided everybody pulls to- gether with the end in view of help ing the state in an immigration way.
 MT. Walkers statement follows:
 Walkers Statement
 The act under which the state inn migration board was established was passed in 1907 and as stated by Gov ernor Conner no commissioner was ap- pointed at that time because of the in- dustrial depression that then existed. Those conditions have passed; prosper fty IS to be noted on all sides, activ ities in every line of business endeavor were never more pronounced in Ala bama than at the present time and the eycs of the world are turned toward the south with Alabama a the focal point. The tremendous advances made by the cities and towns of the state as shown by those census returns already made public have arrested the attention of every thoughtful man and the time was never before so propitious for the suc- cessful establishment of an immigra tion department as a branch of the state government
 The splendid returns being received by our farmers as a result of their la- bors in the fields. the large dividends from banking and merchandising, from the timber business and from invest mentS in coal iron and steel indus tries, together with our unsurpassed climate and increasing educational ad- vantages are so great that inquiries as to homes and investments in this state arc already reaching the immi- grafton department.
 Alabama, as is well known, claims citizenship of which 1t has just cause to pe~proud but 1t is likewise con- ceded that it needs more people to till it's productive sol and to engage in other lines of business as well. Hence it will be my pleasure in seeking new residents for the state to follow the mandate of the act which declares that the commissioner shall first induce im- migrants from desirable white citizens of the United States and then citizens of English speaking and Germanic countries, France and the Scandinavian countries and Belgium as prospective citizens. l am confident from the let ters have already received from those sections that in the central and north west an inviting field will be found for my work the land in that part of our country Is so high in price as to preclude the average renter from hop ing to purchase and pay for much of 1t out of his earnings on the farm. swhile in Alabama he may secure the best of farming lands in many counties at prices ranging from s15 to $40 per acre and easily pay for it with a few years intelligent cultivation. To my mind one of the most important features of this work will be to bring into Alabama more producers for these lands which are now either lying idle or being cul- tivated in unwisely expended efforts. Liberal Act
 "The immigration board act Is broad and liberal and among other things it declares that the commissioner shall pub fish from time to time circulars of infor- nation and handbooks on the resources of the state: he also is to have charge of all work tending to promote mmigra- tion into Alabama. An important feat ure is the land registry which shall be kept, In which shall be listed all lands that may be offered for sale, lease or share by owners in this state, together with information relative to same and ] the terms on which 1t may be obtained 1 by prospective settlers. In order that this | feature may be inaugurated at once shall request that persons having such lands will immediately notify me at Athens or Montgomery, giving a complete | description of the lands and terms they | require. It will also be well for owners to state to what crops their lands are 1 peculiarly adapted and also their prox- 1 unity to markets. Publications from this | land registry in attractive form from time to time are provided for, where tine land owners each pay their proportionate | part of the publication The names and addresses of the owners will be given and any other helpful information that may be furnished The fact that these publications will be made under the aus pices of state department will natural ly carry more weight than if issued solely by an individual or firm
 Another interesting section of the act l stipulates that the immigration board 1 (composed of the governor, the commis- soner of agriculture and the immigration commissioner may. make arrangements | Witil puSii toi IiFInS Or 1nQlNlu- uals as may desire to cooperate with this department in bringing into Alabama de- sirable immigrants.
 | "The heads Of all state and county gov | ernments are requested to furnish the de- pertinent. as far as practicable, such in- formation as will be of service in the prosecution of its work
 | Another salutary feature of the act requires the immigration board to use all q pVfII n fn | into the state of an undesirable class of immigrants, and 1t is made unlawful. punishable by fine of 5000, for any person, firm or corporation to bring or cause to be brought into the state any immigrants from any foreign country in | any other way than through the depart | ment of Immigration
 | AS this Is new department of the state government, I shall be extremely | careful in getting 1t properly inaugu- | rated, but I=-expect to immediately get into correspondence with the secretaries | of all commercial bodies in the state rol- | ative to the advantages offered by their | respective towns and cities. and also with the probate judges regarding the lands of the different counties of the state, in order that l may intelligently answer the | inquiries that are now coming in from 1 Illinois, Kansas and other states.
 "I have already had cordial assurances of cooperation and support from the l Louisville and Nashville, Southern, and Mobile and Ohio railroads, in which they | express willingness to aid in every le- | gitimate way. Secretaries Bruce Kennedy | of the Montgomery Business M en's league | and J. B. Babb of the Birmingham Cham | Der of Commerce have expressed more than willingness to render all assist ance in, their power. And in this connec- | ton l may say 1t will behOoye every