The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1914-12-26
INDUCING IMMIGRATION.
Novel Plan Proposed for PeopIina
Louisana's Millions of Idle Acres
-FraternaI Societies as Reliable
information Bureaus.


| Louisiana's Millions OF Idle Acres
/ -FraternaI Societies as Reliable
information Bureaus.
HERMAN j. SEIFERTH III Times -pieayune,
Louisiana has always needed inn
migration, but for many years she
I was Indifferent whether any came
| her way. When she aWoke to the
| need she made some desultory efforts,
| but the equipped and efficient sys-
tenn is as far off as ever The
| United States finally responded to
a show Of pulling together and
| erected an immigration station. but
the first ~%snag encountered in the
way of railroad and steamship diff
! ferentlals killed all the enthusiasm
and resulted in sorry confession
of helplessness. A State Immigra~
| tion Bureau was Established, but it
has never been given means enough
to lift it above the level of an in
formation office Recently state
wide movement was inaugurated, I'M
der the title of the Louisiana Homes
Association, with the Belgian farm
er refugees as its primal aim, and
other desirable homeseekers as its
permanent purpose, but If there has
been any flood OF subscriptions to
rush realization the finance eom-
mittee has failed to acknowledge
their receipt.
The South Louisiana immigration
Association was organized by the
planters and land owners of four
rich parishes, and its initial resolsas
promised prompt and practical re-
suits. About the time for action
came the furry in sugar, and it has
been difficult to focus attention up
On other issues, so some of the most
valuable suggestions are still In
chrysalis, but Secretary r. S. Wick
efs of DonaldsonVille is keeping the
lamp trimmed and the guiding light
agleam against the day Of fuller radi-
ance. He has gotten out an at
tractiye folder Of Invitation, setting
forth the advantages and opportuni-
ties of The section, aud offering the
services of the body to guide the
farmers anxious to improve their
conditions. He has even succeeded
IN holding some of the members true
to their initial intent, and CORE
spondents can therefore be placed III
touch with three or four thousand
acres of land, cut up into TRACTS Of
forty acres Up, at prices ranging
from $25 to $100 an acre. This at
least establishes the recognition Of
the small farmer, and leaves open
the way to further indncement to
bring down the intensive tiIlers who
will be the greatest future factor In
agricultural prosperity The organi-
zation is still considering d plan
to concentrate group OF small
constitute a community, with social.
educational and religious facilities in
common, so as to make sure of d
congenial and eontented colony
whose satisfaction with living and
farming facilities will prove potent
IN attracting many of their former
neighbors to the land that makes
good. The tour Of the national farm
editors eVentuated in an immense
amount Of information concerning
Louisiana being disseminated among
farmers WHO would be an acquisition
anywhere and predisposing them In
favor of the states fertile fields. Tt
Is the policy OF wisdom to follow up
the impression created by effective
missionary work, by advertising III
the same periodicals In which the
articles appeared, by the presenta-
ton of specific offers, and by even
going after those inclined TO put the
productiveness OF the nations COM
ing food center to the test This
is time of crop prosperity, and it
is easier to sell during such periods.
The peopling OF the states twenty
million idle acres with the right kind
of husbandmen is an inspiring call
to patriotic endeaYor. 1t is crafty
ing to note that the roll of pubic
spirited volunteers is constantly in
.creasing. Jesse B. Hull. of New
Iberia, is Nne of the latest to de-
serve inclusion in the loyal legion,
and his expedient, while it has the
merit Of novelty, recommends itself
as exceptionally efficient. He con-
siders that It is bestoWing benefit
upon farmers in other states 10 pilot
them to the pleasant profit possible
here. The reason that the hegira
has not become general is because
the men Whe might be drawn to Lou
lsia1la farms have not sufficient faith
III the promises made for the soil.
and are hesitant concerning environ
ment and treatment should they ven
ture TO invest. It is no longer a
case Of the daring Of the pioneer,
put the earefulness of the success
ful producer. Mr. Hull saw solu-
ton OF the problem IN bringing to
pear the great agency Of fraternity.
Every splendid fraternaI order in the
united States is deep rooted III this
commonwealth. It is the obligation
Of each member to extend d helping
nand to each worthy brother, and
the brethren naturally have faith In
each other. Each fraternity in Lou
lsiana may be Of service both to
state and farmer brethren in other
states by indorsing the enumeration
OF the sections advantages. by ten
dering good offices In assuring
square deal, and by guaranteeing co
operation in overcoming obstacles
after arrival. Such a course would
De more effective than any civic inn
migration movement, and would at
the same time be fraternaIism OF the
highest, besides Strengthening the
orders active in the plan. Teehe
| tribe OF Red Men, and r. NJ. Dick.
| inson Lodge Of Odd Fellows. with
which Mr.. Hull is affiliated. have
sent out announcements of thei,
| Willingness tn ausxuar i,,c4,t.t -