The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-25
Settlement and Develops
ment Org anization
Started in Baltimore.
MAY ACCOMPLISH
G R E A t RESULTS
Chief Possibilities for Attracting
Desirable Immigrants Lie in an
Educational Carnpaign-Mi-
grafton From West and
Northwest Should Be
Encouraged.
BY W. J. LAuck.

Washington, February 24.-onc oS
the most important movements which
has ever been undertaken for the de-
pclopment of the South was inauSurnt.
cd at Baltimore last Tuesday 1t ia
an outgrowth of tho recent meeting OF
the Governors of the Southern states,
and is TO be known as the Southern
Settlement anu Development Organi-
cation. The permanent organization
consists Of an executive committee
composed OF representatives from each
of the sixteen Southern states and
from the land and industrial depart
ments of each of the railroads travers-
ing the South. The object OF the move
ment Is TO secure desirable agricultural
and other labor for the South. Tho or
SANITATION is to be maintained by the
voluntary contributions Of corporations,
commercial bodies and private citizens.
Resolutions Adopted.
The series of resolutions calling upon
southern states to establish immigraL
ton bureaus and TO appropriate money
Tor advertising their resources, which
have been characteristics of previous
gatherings of this kind. were rrst
adopted. RESOLUTIONS were also pa ssed (
requesting the national government to
designate other ports OF entry for i'm
migrants in the South Atlantic and
Gulf States, and to provide additional
facilities at Baltimore, Charleston, New
Orleans and Galveston. Tho Significant
outcome OF the meeting, however. was
the resolutions establishing Il permun-
ent organization. with headquarters at
Baltimore, and branch offices at such
other places as may be necessary for
the purpose of cooperating with ma
tionai and State agencies I'm stimulat!
ing Immigration TO the South.
What the Organization Can DO.
Tho Question TINT In "a
mind of the thoughtful citizen is what
can this new organization do In prac-
teal way to promote desirable immi.
grafton to the South?
Its greatest possibilities lie in an
educational campaign. 1t is an ac-
copted fact that the Southern people
arc opposed to unrestricted immigra-
ton. The sentiment in the South is in
favor of immigrants Of AnElo-Saxon
stock and careful selection of mem
bers OF such other races as may be-
found to be desirable. Any promotion OF
an unsolicited labor-supply will not re-
ceive support. AS consequence, the first
work to which the Southern Settlement
and Development Organization should
address itself should be to ascertain
what immigrants would form desir-
able class OF farmers ard wage earn
ers FOR the South. Their decision In
this connection should not be ba sed on
Industrial and commercial considera-
tions alone, hut also upon the prob
able effect of immigration Of certain
character upon political and social con-
ditions in the Southern States.
Abundant material is ut hand to ar.
rive at an intelligent decision upon
! TINS most important question. The re-
ports of the United States Immigration
Commission are now being issued. They
are the result of exhaustive and inn
partial Investigations which necessitat-
ed the expenditure of moro than $500.
900. In these volumes, the social, polf.
tical and Industrial effects OF recent
and past immigration are shown. The
characteristics and personal and indus
trial qualities of the members of each
race which is now entering the United
States are set forth In great detail
The immigration experience of other
countries Is also reviewed and mat
ter of special value will be the consid-
Grafton OF the selectivc policy followed
by Canada in eliminating undesirabl
Southern and Eastern Europeans Fur
thermore, these reports OF the Federal
commission contain the results of spe-
cial studies of Southern and Eastern
European colonies in the Southern
States. as we'll as OF the wage earners
in southern mines and manufacturing
establishments.
The data in brief is available by
which the Southern Settlement and
Development Organization can reach a
conclusion and inform the people OF
the South as TO what races. if any. OF
recent immigration TO the United States
should be attracted to the Southern
States. II the new body will do this
work carefully, the Southern people
Will accept their findings and Support
the organization because they know 1t
is composed OF men who are represen-
tativc of the South and It's best inter-
csts. such study by the Baltimors
organization is necessary preliminary
10 any further activities. 1t must de-
terminc what classes of immigrants are
desirable for the Southern States, and
give Its reasons for its decision. 1t Will
thus overcome prejudice and reasonable
opposition. Otherwise, the movement
Will be abortlve.
Methods of Securing Desirable Immi.
grants,
When the new organization has cons
WINGED the Southern people or the de-
STABILITY OF certain races Of imnii-
grants, the next problem with which
il will be confronted VIII be the meth
DDS to be followed In securing theso
immigrants. Owing 10 the complexities
and rritations OF the contract labor
laws IL does not seem practical TO att
tempt any direct stimulation OF Immi-
sra ton from Great Britain and North =
orn Europe 10 the South. About all 4
that seems feasible along these lines
owuid be an advertising campaign BY
ne Southern suites to remove tho ip.
norancc and mi&represontatioi,s. when
oNist relative to the South In M event
should direct immigration from any
country OF Southern and Eastern Eu- i
rope be sanctioned. s
Already there has hec,, 4 considers 4
Continued on Second PAGE. 80 4