St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1911-08-05
LOUISIANA
Immigration
League Launches a Strong
Movement In Support.
Will Unite With National
Body to Secure Results.
Louiaiana the Land of the
Richest Opportunities.
Interesting Talks by Well
Informed People.

New Orleans, Aug. 1.-Immigra-
ton to Louisiana was given very
decided impetus last night, when
men organized as leaders in various
branches of commerce and develop
ment gathered at the Board OF Trade
and launched in it's preliminary stage
the Louisiana branch of the National
Liberal immigration League.
1t was an earnest, enthusiastic
meeting and the purpose was evil
dent from the outset to accomplish
things and to further plans that
would lay the foundation for the
peopling of every one of the TO-
100000 acres of waste lands that
are now lying idle in this state.
Such prominent men as Martin
Behrman, mayor of the city of New
Orleans; Crawford HI. Ellis, manager
of the United Fruit Company's great
Southern interests; A. F. Leonhardt,
postmaster, and president of the New
Orleans Board of Trade; Joseph Lal-
lande assistant general passenger
agent of the Southern Pacific, and
w. H. Reed, general agent OF the
Iron Moutain, were active in the Or
ganization, and men active in re-
claiming the wet lands of the star~
and men well known in their various
lines were present to give their
heartiest support:
The meeting was in answer to the
cali sent out, and Rene F. Clerc,
who has long been one OF the lead
ers in the immigration movement
OF the South, and accomplished much
as chairman of the Board of Trades
Immigration committee, opened the
session at few minutes after 8
o'clock.
Mr.. Clerc said that the object OF
the gathering was to organize the
louisiana branch of the National
Liberal immigration League. The
Nat onal League aims at providing
for the welfare of the immigrants,
and conserving at the same time the
best interests of the states to when
the immigrants go. Branches are
being organized all over the country,
So as to reach some uniformity OF
action In the matter of looking after
the question.
Mr.. Clerc went on that while both
the Board of Trade and the Progress
sive Union have immigration COM
mittees which have done some good,
it is generally agreed that the ques-
ton is entirely too large to be handl-
ed by anything but an organization
devoting it's whole time to the sub
iect. It must be an organization
free fromn all prejudicies,
Louisiana, Mr.. C1erc pointed out,
ia essentially an agricultural state
and unless the states agricultural
resources are developed, the citizens
cant expect factories to come or the
state to take the commercial place
i. is entitled to.
Mr.. clerc said that there were TO-
100000 acres OF land to be reclaim
ed in the state, and mentioned the
emigration of 100000 Americans te
Canada in recent years. Those
Americans took with them $4,000,
900 out of the country. He though'
that there. were still many OF tha'
type that could be brought to Lou
isiana from the Middle West, bu'
the association is needed to snow
them the way. The speaker con
tinued by showing how the associa
ton could aid the immigration sta
ton in distributing the Immigrant
con: ing here, and suggested that tn
pp.eopie of Louisiana contribute I'M
money necessary to advertising tn
state so that Immigrants would D.
attracted this way. ut would b.
tha best investment you ever made,
cried Mr.. Clere.
MIR. Cierc next spoke of the pre-
irdieies that exist in some people
minds against immigrants, ana re |.
ferring to the requirements lmmi
grants must meet Oh coming Z
america. said that the educatlona
test would not keep out the inafcnls
and the blackmailer, and that It wa
not necessary for the farm hand 7
ba educated, 4ho .,
Mr.. Clerc then called for the ap
pontment of temporary chaif ma 10
and secretary. Mr.. Leonuharul, VI
new postmaster and president Oh III
BOARD of Trade, was unanimous
agreed upon, and the choice OF sec
retary fell upon Emile Stier, secre
tarv of the Louisiana Development
League. Mr.. Leonhardt made a brie
Introductory talk, in which ne EN-
nhasized the Importance OF lmnsra
tion. and concluded by calling upo
Mayor Behrman.
The Mayor was greeted VII
hearty applause. and his remark
we're closely followed. The mayo
said that he was not altogethe
familiar with the subject, but n
appreciated that the matter was
most important one. which deserve
the, consideration of every interes
DESTROYS Of the uphuilding OF tn
State Of Louisiana. Mr. Behrma
said that the immigration sub1et
had long been claiming public a
tentien In Louisiana, and that tn
nrst important move was by tn
Federal, state and city governmeI
in cooperation for the establishln
in New Orleans of an immigrauo
station. That move was gained, an
the building is now in sight.
Mayor Behrman paid CLOWN
tribute to S. e. Redfern. the Unite
state immigration commissions
and said that New Orleans was il
deed fortunate in having such
man. Il never saw man Wor