The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-11-30
BACK To THE
FARM MOVEMENT
GATHERING AT THE NATIONAL
CAPITAL OF IMMIGRATION
OFFICIALS
GOVERNORS SPECIAL ON WAY EAST
News of the Week Gathered by Our
Washington Correspondent-Ca-
valry for Fort Meade

(FrOm Our NaSnlnSlOn COTTcSpOuuShl(
A permanent organization to be
known as the National Conference of
immigration, Land and Labor Off
Gals" was the outgrowth of the re-
cent gathering Of representatives
from a number of states, at the Cap
ital. T. V. Powderly, famous years
ago as the head of the Knights of
Labor, but now of the Agricultural
Department, was chosen as honorary
president of the Conference, while
John R. Cummins, industrial COM
missioner Of Wisconsin, is president.
Mr.. A. P. Sandles of the state board
of agriculture OF Ohio, was named as
vice president. Charles F. Gettomy
of Boston, is treasurer, and Miss
Frances A. Keller, of the bureau of
industries and immigration of New
York, is secretary. ]. B. Haynes,
special commissioner of Nebraska and
Raymond A. Pearson, commissioner
of Agriculture, of New York, are
among members of the executive
committee. The members of he Con-
ference were received while here by
President Taft. At their meeting they
passed resolutions recommending
measures intended to induce
migration to leave the con-
gested centers for the agricultural
and other industrial districts. In
creased appropriations by Congress
for the bureau Of information OF the
United States immigration service
and the creation, at the expense OF
the States, of the State bureaus of
immigration and information, with
representatives at ports of entry,
were favored. 1t was also recon-
mended that the States establish free
employment bureaus and enact laws
safeguarding laborers in search of
employment. During the progress of
the meeting Mr.. Roy w. Schenck,
state commissioner of Wyoming
brought into prominence the ncces-
sity of "the back-to-the-farm" move
ment, and he expressed himself to
the effect that the federal govern
ment ought to spend its money in
advertising the millions Of acres of
fertile land awaiting only the touch
of the plow and harrow. He said
that ten million acres of such land
could be found in Wyoming alone.
1T is my idea," he said that the
government is spending 30 many mil
lions of dollars in the reclamation of
our lands, making them ~cultivatable,
it is equally important that some eff
fort should be made to direct intend
ing settlers to the most available
lands" He would start in with for
eigners when they first land in this.
country, and carry the news of our
undeveloped lands to every section
of the country. With Congress dis
posed to do mostly anything in rea-
son for the development of agricul-
ture, and with the work of the re-
cent conference backed up by the
plans that will be formulated on the
Governors Special" now eastward
bound, n carrying the Governors of
Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana,
North Dakota, South Dakota, Mime
sofa, Colorado and Wyoming, there
ought to result some legislation of
real benefit to this "back-to-the-farm"
campaign.
The South Dakota delegation will
undoubtedly make a strong effort to
secure the return Of a full regiment
OF Cavalry to Fort Meade, which has
been practically abandoned since
troops were moved to the Mexican
frontier. 1t is understood to be the
policy OF General Wood that the
troops should be more concentrated,
and therefore he is supposed to be
opposed to maintaining any consider
able number OF troops at Fort Meade.
Senator Crawford, of South Dako-
ia who has been at the Capita! part
of the time has been proselytizing in
the Republican missions. and Michi-
gan has been one Of the fields Of
his recent labors. The Senator Is
a faithful and enthusiastic advocate
OF Senator LaFollette.
When Congress convenes on De-
cember 4th the country may expect
to hear great noises resulting from
announcements, pronouncements. and