Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-11-29
SUGGESTS THAT VIRGINIA
. TRY TO ATTRACT SOLDIERS
First Communication Following Gov
ernor's Invitation Aimed at Get
ting Repatriatcs To Settle Here.
PLAN COMES FROM DICKER,IAN
State Corporation Commission Engi-
necr Believes State Would Profit
Through Coming of Dcsirablcs
Who Would Help in Its Progress.

Plans to advertise Virginia TO in
duce returning soldiers and sailors TO
y locate in this state are the first sig
nihcant suggestions resulting from the
suggestion box instituted this week by
Governor Wcstmorcland Davis. where
by he invited criticism in the inter-
est of the commonwealth. This sue
geStion comes from Judson G. DECKER
man. Engineer. State Corporation Com
mission. Following is a part of Mr.
Dickermans letter 10 the Governor:
SUGGESTS PROPAGANDA TO
DE USED IN EFFORT
The means OF conducting this prop
uganda might be suggested in part
as follows:
% An speakers appearing before
sailors are apt 10 be numerous. could
DC furnished with a copy OF advantages
and opportunities of the state, TO use
as basis for an invitation to the
strangers. and particularly the soldiers
and sailors. to seriously consider MAX
ing their future homes here.
Il know il 10 hc u fact that some
states maintain advertising agents in
other states and in foreign countries.
, with the object OF inducing settlers to
come TO the state advertised.
1t occurs 10 me that Nirg inia has
splendid opportunity as one OF the
tresults OF the war activities OF the
national government. to carry on an
advertising campaign among the most
desirable class OF people already Amer
lean. mostly young. without strongly
settled attachments elsewhere. who
have been brought into the state. eX
penses paid by the United states gov
eminent. | refer to the soldiers and
sailors whose posts of duty or routes
them more or less in contact with Nir-
Sinia. and certainly have made them
readily accessible to propasanda de-
them as future settlers. If this or;
portunity has not been noticed and
acted upon by pronerly constituted Or
nit that this is a golden opportunity
which should not be lost.
Already many thousands OF these
'perienced the hospitality OF many
homes In Virginia. and have been roy
ally treated by the women of the state
CARNATIONS If now the business men
and citizens of the State combine in
invitations TO these young men to
home. out of the hundreds OF thous-
ands OF whom such an appeal can he
easily made. it may not be too much to
hope that several thousand. If not
greater numbers. may be induced to
locate in this State.
"(2) The newspapers having circu-
arc conEreEated. or along the lines OF
transportation. might make a practice
of carrying a printed invitation. with
IN exposition of the advantages of the
"(S) Pamphlets could be printed and
Systematically distributed on the trains
aud in the camps.
with the great natural resources of
the state. Offering opportunities for
development from the fisheries and
maritime industries Of the Chesapeake
BAY region. to the mining. numbering
and grazing industries of tho western
part Of the state. there is wide op-
-portunty for choice.
"Our soldiers and sailors contain men
from all walks of life. Some OF them
have reserves of capital. All have SUP
plies of energy, and many have special
training in diversified lines. so that If
they came into tho state. even by
thousands, they would he the most de-
sirablc possible type OF mmiErati ion
possihle to conceive OF, as they would
he unlikely TO cause congestion in any
one line OF industry or profession.