Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-28
FEDERAL AID FOR
men CITY TIRED
Department of Commerce and
Labor Would Install Three
Bureaus to Help Them.

Washington, Dec. 2s.-Congress is /!
being urged to make a large appro-
priation to be used in inducing resi-
dents of the congested population cen
tiers to leave and engage in agricul-
tural and other rural pursuits.
To facilitate this important move
ment, the department of commerce
| and labor has asked authority for the
] establishment of branches of it's divi-
sion of information in Chicago, New
| Orleans and San Francisco
| The department would like to have
s1,O00,00O for each city placed a. it's
disposal. but probably will be allowed
/ only a lump sum of 100000 to make
the preliminary arrangements.
Those branches will be used for the
purpose of securing accurate informa-
ton concerning actual AGRICULTURAL
and industrial conditions in the vari-
Gus sections of the country and to d.
rect to the most desirable point ma
tives and Immigrants DESTROYS Of TAX
ing up farming, stock raising, and the
like.
The division of information is a
part of the bureau of immigration
and was established for the purpose
of directing immigrants to those com.
munities where labor is in demand
The division does not attempt to
direct skilled craftsmen, miners, or
other underground workers Nor, l. is
claimed. is the division engaged in any
back to the land crusade Accord
ing TO the secretary of commerce and
labor, it is realized that many of those
who seek aid Of the division would
prove failures if by any means they
were induced to go on the land. The
division is convinced, however, that
thousands of men brought up on farms
have failed of success in cities and
now desire 10 take up land.
The division is making every effort
to ascertain where small farms or
holdings may be had and what they
will produce, and then to place all
needed data concerning them before
those who seek information.
During 1912 seven bulletins were is
sued, setting forth reliable data con-
corning principal crops, prices of land,
special inducements to settlers and
especially agricultural opportunities
: in the various states. These bulletins
will be published in various foreign
: languages, so they can be distributed
| among the alien residents who know
little of the agricultural opportunities
in the United States.
AS showing the value of the division
of information 30,657 persons were
given information during the year.
and of this number 5,176 went direct
to places where they secured employ
ment.
Among the applicants for informa-
ton were Americans living in Canada
who desire to return to their native
country. 1t is an interesting fact that
the American immigrant to the do
: minion has become dissatisfied with
= climatic conditions in the land of his
adoption and wants to come back.
Thousands of immigrants who pass
: through our ports during the year are
!, farm laborers. OF the applicants fol
: information 7,134 reported their occu
= patton as that of farm hands. These
men, of course, were directed to rura
: communities where they secured EN-
, ployment
4 If congress grants the appropriation
=, it is believed a check will be applied
! to the movement of so many aliens
!. back to their native countries. Every
y year thousands return to Europe anC
J. inves. the money they have saved il
- lands which have been titled for cen
n turtles and for which they pay from
=. people are able TO buy only two OF
= three acres and then are compelled Il
% mortgage the property in order to pur
% chase implements, seed, and other ne
.. cessary equipment If the mortgage
o be foreclosed they return to America
% save and go back once more to Europe
- In this country land can be bough
=, for from SO to 800 an acre which
- will produce the crops with which tn,
: alien is familiar. The problem is t.
!, inform the alien where he can find thi
- land. With an appropriation from
=, congrCI3 the informa ion can be giveI
a him and the chances are he will TAX
= advantage of it.
=. T. V. PoT Slerly, chief of the division
: of informS lion, is confident tina
q through such a service as the depart
~ ment desires to establish benefit vii
n be derived not only by the alien an,