The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-02-09
PROGRESS MADE IN BRINGING
MORE PEOPLE TO THE SOUTH
outhern Settlement and Development Organization
Establishes First Belgian Refugee Colony at Tulla-
homa. Tennessee-Other Colonization Work.

.tabliShed AZ Tullahoma, Tennessee,
|s.ttlement aud Development Organ
|iatiou. early IN January. The Colony
I,,n.ists Of twenty-seven individuals
|.nd all the men are experienced far
ners who nave executed contracts TO
nurchase land from the owners on
..rns which should enable them to
nay Tor the land, improvements, tools,
iy. stock and other essentials from
80. products of their farms before
I'm time of final payment.
II may be Of interest to know that
these c~olonists took possession OF their
american homes six weeks and three
laws after Mr.. w. Fl. Manss. vice.
| president and general manager of this
,rpanization, sailed from New York
Tor England and Holland 10 enter
pon the task OF selecting Belgian
refugees who could measure up to the
established standard OF requirements.
| ,nasmuch as this mission, III the be-
ginning was something Of an expert
ment. Tor at first the unprecedented
situation developed by the European
war seemed 10 impose conditions al
most prohibitive of results, it was
deemed wise TO start the movement
vitn a small colony.
New the demonstration is complete.
IL mas stood the test Of accomplished
Colonization. 1t has transferred a
number III Flemish farmers from the
european war zone 10 farm lands Ill
southern Tennessee. thus beginning
the process of Transforming destitute
flgitives into American lana owning
farmers. This happy conclusion was
anly made possible by the co-opera-
ton Of public spirited, broad minded
Southern land Wner who We're dC-
tuated by motives OF practical phllan-
thropy. 1t is obvious, however. That
il this colony is successful, and the
enthusiasm and c~ontentment OF the
c~olouists promise success, l. VIII act
as a enter OF attractive influence
which will automatically draw to it
tie friends and former neigllbors Of
he English c%olonists when the Euro
,can war is at an end.
This organization, Oh several oc-
casiuns, has pointed out that if twenty-
I'VE or fifty colonies, similar to the
TuliahoIna colony, could be establish
81 i'll the South within the next lew
months. they inevitably would turf
southwark a large nulnbe OF deSira-
Die agricultural immigrants who VII
form part of the great immigration
movement which will set in to thu
CIlltu states III EuL OPCdh PSo>t -
established. 1t is the opinion Of {
number Of we'll informed Southerners
who are actively interested i'll the set
Element and development Of tn
south. that a successful colony OF al
agricultural type not only will en-
nance the value Of the tillable land
in the community, but will bring L
mat community settlers who Woul'
not require assistance. S1ch as ha
been given the premier colony Il
Tennessee.
II must be borne in mind that thes
Flemish farmers. for such are tn
Belgian refugees in whom this orga
n~ilation is interesting itself. wer
driven from their homes by the move
inents of contending armies. The
.ed precipitately, taking with theI
only what they COULD carry on the
backs. Some, in act many, OF theI
are land oWners OF have other pro
perty of value i'll Belgium, but non
~ This property is now, and perhaI
never will be, available as 81 source f
raisipy money. Blu they still ha,
their reputation for industry, thru
and agricultural skill. 1t is we'll know
hat wherever Belgians have settle
III the United States they have beco1i
taluable members OF their commune
They long nave been sought by lal
'UmpalieS.
Tearing in mind the condition
The Flemish farmers caused by Il
Var, it is evident that the folioWll
are basic propositions in any NOV
lneut 10 bring them TO the Unit
states:
F~irst:-Some lawful means must
provided for paying transportat1C
including steamship fare. The Unit
states immigration law is SPECIFIC
prohibiting any corporation, assoc
ton, society. municipality or Torel
government, directly or indirect
from paying an immigrants stea
ship passage. An individual a
IT,. and. apparently. "A state, but
either case the immigrant Is class
by the immigration office as an 7
sisted alien and the burden OF pr
is laid upon him to show, beyond 3