The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1920-09-18
NORTHERN PACIFIC
PLANS DEVELOPMENT
MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO ASSIST
IN IMPROVING THE ENTIRE
NORTHWEST.

Announcement of what may be tn,
most comprehensive project ever un
dertaken by an American railroad t,
assist in the development of a grea
section of the country, was made il
st. Paul today by The Northern Paci
fic railway, when details of a depart
ment of immigration and Industry
70 become operative about October l
were given out by j. M. HannaSord
president.
The department in substance, has
been decided upon as the most effect
i've means of enabling the railroad tt
cooperate with every development
agency, whether federal, state, local OF
private, which exerts direct or an In
direct influence in the American
Pacific railway operates.
E. F. Benson, at present commits
SiOner of agriculture Of the state OF
Washington, has been appointed man
ager of the department, Mr.. Hanna
ford announced. Benson is widely
known as a railroad man and is an
authority on agriculture and irriga-
tion. His appointment was made by
cable and letter. His acceptance was
flashed to Mr.. Hannaford from Shang-
hal, China. Benson will probably ar
rive in st. Paul to take charge of the
department, about October l.
Fundamental details of the North
ern Pacific projects were officially an
nounced today In the following state
ment from Mr.. Hannaford.
The department of immigration and
Industry has been organized with a
wi 70 oi6 in, 10r, n11t Of
tural resources in the territory served
by the Northern Pacific railway. It's
purpase will be to give special atten-
ton to agriculture, not with the in
tention of initiating any new activi-
ties of the federal government.
"There are, Literally, millions of
acres of and in Montana, Idaho and
Washington which can be made high
ly productive under irrigation; there
are immense deposits OF minerals, in
cluding coal and ore in the state of
Montana for example. In thedevelop-
ment ofthese resources, the new de-
partment will aid by establishing
necessary relations between those who
have the capital and expert knowledge
and those who control these natural
resources.
There are many things which our
county farm agents, or our state agri-
tultural colleges cannot undertake
.singly, but which can be accomplished
by Joint effort The railroad, being
representative of al interests, can CO.
operate in practically every develop
ment project that will tend to improve
the Great Northwest.
Selection of the proper manager
for this department was considered al
most as important as the department
itself Subordinate to the maneger,
will be an agricultural agent, an i'm
agent, and an industrial
agent 1t was natural therefore, that
the executive should be a man of
broad attainments and ono who pos
sesses comprehensive knowledge of the
Northwest and development possibil
bdee.
sAr. Benson was decided upon. A
man of railroad experience and an
authority In international repute on
and reclamation of the
state Of Washington. A few months
sgo. he left for the Orient and Egypt
to make a comprehensive survey of
work in various countries.
He undertook this journey purely for
reason. He betrayed the ex-
poDA
Correspondence with Mr. Benson /
began when he was on the ocean. His /,
acceptance, sent from Shanghi, has
lust been received, together with q
COPY OF his resignation addressed to
the governor of Washington. Mr.. Ben |
son was desirous of returning to
Olympia in time to participate official
y at the state fair. He will come to
4 Paul shortly after the close of the
.air and Immediately take charge of I
the new department.
For many months, dozens of indi
iidual projects affecting irrigation,
and development, scientific farming,
civic improvements and T
he like have been discussed by cities,
vtAte departments, farmers clubs, real
sstate bodies and other organizations
scattered from Minnesota to the Pa
.ific Northwest The new department
If the Northern Pacific railway, 1t Is !;
will stand ready to CO.
operate with the single view Of de-
volopinp the broad region