The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-18

Following is an ADDRESS delivered by
B. f. Yoakum, chairman OF the st.
Louis & San Francisco Railroad Co,
before the National Convention of the
Farmers Educational and Cooperative
Union at ST Louis. Mr.. Yoakum will
address the Tri-State Grain Growers
convention.
At St Louis Mr.. Yoakum said, "An
important subject on which the Farm
ers' Union is urging national legisla-
ton is more stringent regulation Of
immigration. This subject has two
sides. We cannot afford to put too
great restriction as 10 number Of i'm
migrants, but we should follow the
Canadian plan OF encouraging the best
farmers and selecting them with great
care.
Within the last five years 400, 900
Americans, principally farmers, have
left the United States for Canada,
taking with them an average OF $4,000
each. During the last FIVE years there
came into the United States 5000, 900
immigrants. Statistics show that
last year each American who went TO
Canada took with him as much value
in cash, live stock, farming implements
ETC., as forty -four immigrants brought
with them. Every American going to
Canada becomes a producer; rs per
cent. OF the immigrants coming to the
United States remain in our already
over crowded cities to be fed and to be
sheltered. American farmers going to
Canada can be depended upon TO pro-
duce food stuffs and new wealth.
Canadian government officials, all of
whom are taking personal interest
in securing the best class of farmers
for their country. estimate that this
year 10000 Americans will go from
this country to Canada.
This exodus to Canada is a serious
matter and one OF which our public
men soon begin to take notice.
'"rhe same reason that has carried
100000 Of our people into Canada is
now starting them to Mexico. That
government is just reaching a sub
stantial foundation. Through a wise
national policy 1t is awakening and in
many ways encouraging its own people
in agricultural pursuits and bidding for
our best farmers to cross our southern
border and make homes where the
farmer is given encouragement to take
up the work of producing food supplies.
"All we hear from Washington is
military explorations and unimportant
political controversies. All we hear
from most of our congressman and
state legislators is the preaching OF
false doctrines against the institutions
of the country There is seldom a
word OF encouragement for the up
building and development of the coun-
try's resources.
Government Aid for Agriculture.
Another demand urged through your
officers is more liberality in national
appropriations toward agricultural
prospects and less money for battle
ships. National legislation to aid
agriculture is OF the greatest impor-
lance.
Figures show for themselves what
the politicians whom the farmer has
followed blindly, are doing for them
selves, and what they are doing for the
farmer. AS shown by Chairman Taw-
ney, of the appropriation committee, of
the total revenue OF the government
last year ST. out OF each 800
was used for military expenses. This
was much greater than it should be
and calls attention to the fact that
from the same revenue only $1.S5 out
of each 800 was used to aid in agri-
cultural development For public
highways, so important to the farmer,
on which our best authorities show
that If we had the same class OF pub
lie roads in this country as they have
in Europe there would be a saving to
the producers of this country OF
$3.50, 100000 annually, the same con-
gress appropriated cents out of each
500.
Through your legislative commit
tee, when you ask for more liberal
appropriations for agricultural devel-
opment, you are touching the heart of
the nations future and you should def
initely outline your policy on that
question. To succeed you must be
specific.
Drain the Mississippi Valley.
st. Louis stands ar the head of
25,O00,00O acres OF the richest valley in
the world with all the advantages OF
being cheap land in price, but rich and
productive. II made available, Amer
lean farmers who have left their coun-
try 10 better their conditions could af-
ford to sell out in Canada and return
to the Mississippi valley with profit
and comfort to themselves and live
under their own flag. This great val
ley, with the valley lands OF other
states. amounting TO 100000 acres,
is idle and unproductive, awaiting
drainage. For drainage this same
congress set aside l cent OF each 500.
from the public fund.
IF the government would spend
s1.500,000 a year for twelve years in
surveys for drainage and in opening
waterways to the gulf, 1t VIII make
available rs. 100000 acres OF Mississippi
valley land ready Tor ditching at cost