The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-11-28
NEW ORLEANS PLAYS ID SEND ID EUROPE AND GET BE[G|ANS
Lightner Says Committee Has Been Appointed To Consider Matter-Let-
 ter Received

That an effort is to be made in New Orleans to send over to Europe and se- cure a great number of Belgians to come south was a statement made here yes terday by A. D. Lightner. vice president of the Frisco interests in that section. He said that the sugar plantation owners were inclined to turn their lands into stock farms, and Into the cultivation of wheat and other staples. and eliminate cotton and sugar cane. He said that the Cham Der of Commerce there was behind the project, and while nothing final had been done. there had been appointed a strong committee to study the situation care- fully.
 Tt is the opinion in New Orleans that vast number of Belgians would be will ing to come to this country now" said Mir. Lightner. They have seen the ter rible destruction by imperialistic govern ments, and it is believed many of them would be interested in settling in coun- try where a democratic form of govern ment is in effect The Belgians are won- derfuly efficient. and it is the belief of many we'll informed persons that the movement will bring fine results for this section of the country"
 In connection with this statement by MT. Lightner. the following letter was re- ceived yesterday by United States Sena- tor Frank s. White from the Southern migration problem:
 Senator Duncan U. Fletcher of Florida.
 president of the Southern Commercial congress. has issued a call for a general conference to meet in Washington Sat urday. December 12, 1914, at 10 a. m., in the Commerce court room, Southern build ing, to discuss the advisa blity of under taking efforts for placing the agricul- turaly inclined immigrants now out of employment in our industrial communities on southern farms and to plan methods of caring for the horde of foreigners that will probably come to this country at the close of the European conflict. The con ference is called to consider an immigra- ton policy for the south, and will be asked to initiate a practical plan for financing desirable agricultural settlers who may be induced to come to the south ern states
 The question of offering relief to Bel gian refugees abroad by placing them on southern farms will be fully considered at the conference with federal immigra- tion officials The Hon. William B. Will son, Secretary of Labor, will deliver the | opening address. and preparations are be- 1 ing made to have representatives of the foreign press in this country and officials
 of the more important of the immigrant societies to attend the conference. Other
 high officials of the federal government will also be in attendance.
 "A copy of Senate document No. 595, l sixty-third Congress, second session, en- titled, 'Slavs on Southern Farms has
 been forwarded under separate cover This | document contains information and sug- | gestions of particular interest to the peo- pie of the south.
 You are very cordially invited and es- pecially urged to personally attend and participate in the deliberations of this conference. Please notify this office i'm mediately that we can expect you to be in attendance