The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-10-31
GIVES HIS VIEWS
ON Immigration
Cullman Man Tells Some of
Things Working Against
Its Success in Alabama

As an evidence that the approaching
land congress brings discussion on all
sides of the immigration question, the fol-
lowing letter has been written to Presi-
gent N. F. Thompson by William Richard
y Son of Cullman:
Cullman, Ala, October 20, 1918.
Dear Sir; We received your kind invi-
tation of October "a to visit the Alabama
State Land congress, and thank you very
much for your attention.
1T is fact, our state has millions of
acres of idle land yet which would make
beautiful homes for thousands of immi-
grants, and for a person who does not
know the circumstances. 1t must look re-
markable that there is so much waste land
still in the best and most beautiful state
OF the union, but what is the reason that
the desirable immigration don't wish to
settle in our midst, and sooner chooses to
locate in the cold extreme north?
i. Our state never really wanted immi-
grafton, else they would have spent more
| money and energy to get it. All the state
does in this direction is appropriating the
trifling sum of 5000 yearly, of which
great part is mostly spent as salary for
an immigration commissioner, who gener-
ally knows nothing about immigration,
and only receives the appointment as
reward for political favor
, - There has been and still exists too
much prohibition and fanaticism in gem
eral, depriving the citizens of their per-
sonal liberty, which shows that out of 81
counties g. still have prohibition, with
view that the whole state may be dry
again. Such conditions hurt more than
anything to get desirable immigration,
because the general Immigrant loves his
personal liberty above ali, and does not
care, to live In a state where it is OPP
pressed.
70. Another gerat and harmful draw
back is the Burnett immigration bill,
which Mr.. Burnett again tries to be-
come law. II this strenuous measure
with his literary clause would become a
Jaw 1t would be very harmful to our great
nation, to our beloved state, and especially
to the Birmingham district Notwith
standing this law would be un-Amercan
and undemocratic, as most of our pilgrim
fathers could not read or write. Besides,
there are thousands of patriotic citizens
IN Burnett's own district who can't read
or write. 1t would shut our doris to just
such people who do such common manual
labor of which the native born American
thinks himself above. and the negro is
not fit. Is 1t not generally this foreign
element from southern Europe who builds
our railroads, and highways, mines our
coal and iron, and works in our furnaces
and factories? Take this element out of
your Birmingham district today and see
If not most of your works have to he
shut down.
"A. The many cases of peonage, which
occurred so often are also harmful to inn
migration, and resolutions should be
passed that strict laws should be on
forced.
SO. A great drawback also are those UNI
scrupulous land companies, especially in
southern Alabama, who keep their Of
fees in large northern cities, selling
worthless sand lands at extreme prices
on monthly payments. pretending that
an immigrant can make living on a
or 10-aere tract. Those people after they
have paid for their land settle on it,
spending their last money for improve
ments, and after n years experience go
back poorer than ever and curse our
southern country.
1--WE are associated founders of Gull
man. bringing Enumeration to this county,
for 50 years. and we know exactly what
we are speaking about. Culiman county
before a wilderness. is now the garden
SPOT of the state, and proves what immi-
grafton can do. and our immigrants did
not have to pass literary test IT shows
what our great state would be if It were
settled with honest immigrants. and even
if they would come from the southern
part of Europe. as In such countries are
lust as good, honest hard working and
God fearing farmers as elsewhere.
'In order to get immigration from the
north. you must give them at least the
same or better opportunity as elsewhere
'2. You will have to go there and get
them. That means. those people in gen.
ernl receive so much literature from al
over the country that they get confused
and consequently select any other country
than the south. You have to work i'm