The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-03
COUNTIES OF STATE 7 ARE GROWING, SAYS COWARI' REPORT Commissioner of Agricul- ture Issues Report Cover ing Work Since 1911 GAIN IN WEALTH
 AND POPULATION New Capital and New People Flow ing Into State-Work of Immi-
 grafton Department Is
 Strongly Indorsed

Montgomery, January 2.-(SpeciaL LA careful study of the situation clearly shows that the counties in this state which have encouraged the investment of new capital and the location of new settlers have steadily gained in popula- ton and wealth.
 This statement is taken from the report of Lee Cowart, commissioner of immi- grafton, which covers the work done by the immigration department since Jan uary, 1911. The report is one of the most interesting that has been submitted to the governor by any departmental of hcial in the past year.
 Commissioner Cowart asserts that after a careful study of the situation and investigation of the opportunities now offered" he is convinced that the de- partment of immigration can be made the states greatest asset"
 In substantiation of this claim Commis- sioner Cowart cites various figures show ing gains in population and wealth in certain counties of the state during the other counties in which progress has not been so marked.
 Greater Payment Shown
 The commissioner shows that Baldwin county in 1914 paid into the treasury $51,- 097.7 as against $l0,21s.22 in 1890. a gain of 400 per cent. Barbour county shows gain of 70 per cent in that period. The county. which paid into the treasury in 1914 $66,676.6S. as against $5o46.09, In 1890, representing a percentage of increase of 1201 per cent. In comparing Lowndes county with Cullman. the north Alabama county has a great advantage. In 1890 Cullman paid into the treasury $949S 70. while Iowndes paid $19,O4015. In 1914 Cullman paid $49,801 .33. while Lowndes paid $31,745.2i, the former showing gain of 434 per cent and the latter a gain of 65 per cent.
 Can 1t be said that the fertility of the soil or climatic conditions have had in any degree a hand in bringing about these wide discrepancies?" asks Commits sionep Cowart. "No. for if the whole trutt is told the conditions of soil and climate rather favor the counties shown to have least advanced. It is conclusive, | therefore. that the infusion of new blood i ne example set by experienced agricul- turlsIS tralneo m a nelu or Sclent1f1c en- deavor. has borne it's fruits and the profit has been great.
 Decrease Population
 Commissioner Cowart further shows that certain counties have decreased in population as a result of their inactiv- ity, while other counties are continually drawing more from the state treasury than they are paying into it. These coun- ties are Barbour, Blount Greene Hale, Henry. Lowndes. Sumter and Wilcox, all of them receiving over $10O,000 each year more than they pay into the treasury thereby being burden on the state None of these counties. according to the com missioner, has encouraged immigration
 The report shows that during the past two years about $400,00O worth of Ala bama lands have been purchased by peo- pie from Iowa and surrounding states
 Every state in the union is doing some immigration work at this time.'' says Commissioner Cowart Seventeen states maintain separate departments for the purpose of carrying on this work. and in the remaining states the immigra- tion work is carried on in connection state. In no state, so far as I have been able to learn, is there as little money appropriated for this work as in Alabama"
 Commissioner Cowart recommends that the appropriation for the department be increased from $500O per year to $9O,000 and declares that it would be unwise to abolish the department.