The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1914-12-24
Plan TO Induce Belgian People to Settle
In Missouri

ALltlllOA ANsA"A~
a bill to be introduced at the next ses'
sion Of the Missouri legislature as
means Of furnishing the Missouri legs
lature, as means Of furnishing the
Missouri State Board Of immigration |
with funds for the purchase OF 100, |
600 acres Of this states undeveloped
land. The object Of John J. Schneid
er. chief commissioner, and c. /.
Davidson, secretary Of the board is to
afford Belgian refugees an opportunity
to colonire in this state. An auxiliary
bill will be submitted to the genera
assembly, calling for an appropriation
Of $50, 900, to be expended by the
commission in inducing homeless in
habitsnts Of Belgium to settle in Mis-
souri.
The idea was made known yes'er
dav With the return Of Secretary
Davidson from Joplin, where he held
a conference with Frank H. Lee OF
that city, representative elect iron
Jasper county. Mr.. Lee has agreed
to ac, as sponsor for thN two measures
40 the scheme met with his enthusi
astic approval. A number OF other
members OF the state Legislature IN
cluding M. N. Neihardt Of Hickory
county and John A. Jackson OF V'm'
on county, have pledged their support
10 both bills. The fact that Mr. Lee
has taken an interest in the move
ment increases the probability Of the
success OF the measures, as his con
s,i,uep,s believe he will soon becoms
one Of the leaders Of the house after
the assembly convenes'
Secretary Davidson said the com
MISSIONS plans would so word the
bond issue bill that its passage wouc
nrovide for the purchase Of possibly
100000 acres Of un;mproved land
II is estimated that the land ctu!1 b'
purchased at approximately "a and S'
an acre, the bonds to specify tenure
Of not less than len years maintained
at low rate Of interest. The Iant
would be distributed among the I'm
migrants at the cost price, in tracts I
suit the fancy of the purchaser. In
varied amounts would draw the sam
rate Of interest as paid by the stat
for the bonds. The settler would b
compelled to improve his allotted trac
and he would be presentend with tn
deed when the final payment VIZ
made. Thus the parents OF the /"
measures figure the propaganda coul
be carried out without cost to III
state.
The $4,000 appropriation wou
be expended in an extensive advertl
ing campaign, conducted under Il
personal direction Of the members
the commission. The advantages
agricultural activity in Missor
would be placed before the Belgla
in an irrestible form, and the rest
would be a stupepduous influx
sturdy and industrious farmers, Coz
missioner Schneider believes.
While considering the propos
plan the promoters are aware oi t
fact that several phases OF the st;
and national immigration laws n
conflict with the expected immigratic
This they say, is ml'ter that csn
attended to later. Secretary Davids
argues that the scheme should app
to every taxpayer in the state as
naturalization OF the movem
would mean a substantial increase
land values. An enormous output
live stock and foodstufts would
raised on the land which, heretolt
has been regarded as worthless
According to statistics on file in
Office OF Secretary Davidson, tf
are now 100000 acres Of un
proved land in this state. - SPRING.
Leader.