The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-02-15
BILL FOR GREATER
N. D. DEVELOPMENT
COMMISSION FOR STATE PRO-
PosED-HAs ENDORSEMENT OF
COMMERCIAL ORGANIZATIONS
BILL WAS INTRODUCED BY
REPRESENTATIVE OWENS.

A bill Of great Importance to the
state of North Dakota has been intro
duced in the house of representatives.
The bill is entitled an act creating a
state agricultural and immigration
commission for the purpose of en-
couraging immigration and develop
ment of resources of the state by pub
lictty thereof, and was introduced by
Representative Owens of Williams
county.
The introduction of the bill is the
result of a. widespread desire for
more effective advertising of the re-
sources of the state and q more Wig
orous campaign for settlers. The ac-
ton was taken after a rather thor
ough canvass of the situation had
been made. The movement was
! found to have the endorsement of the
commercial clubs, business organiza-
tons and members of the legislature.
The first direct faction was taken
when the Williston Commercial club
took up the matter and recommended
the passage of a law creating such a
commission. The bill introduced was
the result. ~
Realize Need for Activity.
The men behind the movement re-
alize that with Canada spending hun
dredS of thousands of dollars every
year In advertising her resourcesMwith
Montana, Minnesota and South Dako-
ia all spending large sums in the car
rying on of a campaigns for more set
tiers, that North Dakota situated in
the very center of this vicinity must
take up the work with energy or be
left behind in the race Tor greater de-
Velopment. .-.... Ia. gs.e.. ..2
The bill provides for the creation of
a state immigration II publicity
commission which shall consist of
three members to be appointed by the
governor. One member OF the COM
mission shall be for each congress
sional district, thus giving the east
ern, the central and the western sec
lions of the state representation. The
term Of office is liked at three years
and the compensation3at IS a day for
every day necessarily devoted to the
| duties of the office, not. to exceed $400
q year. The commission shall main
tain it's offices in the Office of the
commissioner of agriculture. 1t is Civ
Ell the power to. employ n secretary
at a salary not exceeding $1,000 a
year. 1t is probable that the chief
| duties of advertising would devolVe
upon the secretary, the selection of a
competent man for that position be-
ing one of the chief duties of the
commission. r: .5s.A -fa ...t s'
Duties Of Commission.
Under duties of the commission the
bill provides:
1T shall be the duty of said com
mission to meet Immediately upon
qualifying and appoint a secretary
and elect one of their number as
chairman Of the board, and if such
board shall fail to elect a chairman
the governor shall designate one of
the members as chairman, whose duty
it shall be to preside at their sessions
and perform such other duties for the
carrying put Of the object of this acL,
Such commission shall meet at least
once each year and shall look after
land devise ways and means to ad.
vance immigration interests of tie
state, and 10 and promote
the permanent settlement and Inn
provement of all sections of the state,
II shall have charge OF the prepare
tiCn in manuscript, the publication
and distribution by mai and other
wise If any and all documents and ar
ticles of reading matter designed 10
convey correct and full information
IN all matters pertaining to the
growth II development OF h agrt-
cultural, manufacturing, commercial,
mining and other interests of the
state. 1t shall attend to all CORES
pondence relating to immigration and
shall do all in it's power to, by letter,
by use of published printing matter
and through personal efforts to secure
the most liberal and extensive adver-
tisement Of the resources, opportuni-
ties and industries of the state. 1t
shall be the purpose and aim of such
commission to induce h investment
of capital in agriculture, mining,
manufacturing and different industrial
n mercantile pursuits in the state,
and to facilitate the coming to the
state Of persons and families seeking
permanent investments of location for
new homes. 1t shall procure the most
favorable rates of fare obtainable
from railroads and other transporta-
ton companies for persons coming 20
the state for such purposes and where
such persons have formed a colony
of considerable number, the commits
sion Or one of them shall visit them
If necessary, and do all in its power
to direct and assist them in making
the necessary arrangements for trans
portation in reaching the state. II
shall advertise openings of settlement
on public lands within the state and
give definite information relating to
the same. l7 a
1T shall have charge of any and all
exhibits of the products n resources
of the state which may be authorized
and made at any fair or exposition
held at any point in the United States
and shall have power and authority
to cooperate with any railroad or
transportation company and with any
person Interested, with a view of Sc
curing such an exhibit at any fair or
exposition or display held or made as
aforesaid. 1t shall have power and
authority to employ and secure aid OF
help necessary at all times to carry
into full force and effect the purpose
of this act
The. bin makes it the duty of ali
state, county, municipal and township
officers to furnish to the commission
ers all the information within their
power whenever requested to do sc
and make a refusal to furnish such
information a m-isdeneanor. 1t fur.
Their provides that the commission
shall keep an account of its receipts