The Ward County independent., 1921-02-17

One of the most important meet
ings of it's kind ever held in this city
was that given under the auspices of
the Minot Association of Commerce
at the Association rooms Tuesday
night. The question of immigration
was discussed by men long experience
ed in this work.
At $50 o'clock the Ward county
pictures secured by the state immigra-
ton department were shown at the
Orpheum theatre. More than $50
sat down to dinner served by the Epis-
copal ladies'.
Henry M. Wilson, president OF the
Association of Commerce, was chair
man of the evening and told a few of
his best stories. There were quite q
number of visitors from Kenmare and
other towns in the county as we'll as
several farmers from points in the
county. Music was furnished by the
high school orchestra, under the direc-
ton Of Prof. J. E. Howard. Carl
Danielson directed singing in which all
participated. C. C. Hvambsal sang
two tenor solos, splendidly.
r. A. Nestos, one Of the directors OF
the Association of Commerce gave an
eloquent address on immigration. He
pointed out the needs of more good
farmers. This will prove benefit
to every resident of the county and
will be welcomed by the farmer now
living here as well as by the business
and professional men. Mr.. Nestos
pointed out the conditions in the east,
under which no renter can longer ex-
ist. The land is so high and the rents
so high that the renters can no longer
afford to pay those rents with the low
er prices for his products, neither can
he hope to buy any Of that high priced
land. There's only one thing left fol
him to do and that is to come 70 such
state as North Dakota where he car
either buy good farm at reason
able price or rent farm at fail
price. A good renter will be as vel
come here as the man who comes tt
buy land. Mr.. Nestos spoke Of the
many farmers who are making sue
vess here. We don't want to adver
tise North Dakota as a wheat grow
ing state, but asra place where ont
may get good returns from mixet
farming. He stated that the United
States government had recently got
ten out map showing that western
North Dakota is included in that por
ton Of our country where the sol
fertility is the greatest. We hav'
even greater soil fertility than. tn,
Red River valley. He made a pie:
for cooperation in developing thi
great territory, known as the Mous'
River Loop.
Mr.. Wilde, of the state immigra
ton department, says that North Da
kota is the first state in the Uniol
to use moving pictures to advertis'
it's resources elsewhere. The pic
lures have been shown in Washing
ton before Congressional committees
He urged the North Dakotans to real
ize more fully their own resource
and opportunities and says the NOV
ing pictures of our state are as i'm
portant in educating our own peopl
as those Of other states. He sal
that DR.. Ladd, who visited Ward coun
ty recently, remarked that the Mino
farmers were the best dressed of an,
he had met in the state.
f. C. Leedy, Of st. Paul, who is il
charge of the immigration department
Of the Great Northern Railway Co
who accepted an invitation from W
s. Shaw, to attend the meeting, stat
ed that he was no stranger here. H
came to Minot on the first immigra
ton train many years ago and filed Of
homestead near Des Lacs.
w. A. Christensen, G. N. agent a
Granville, advised him at the time
not to bring immigrants so far west
fearing that they would starve t
death. Mr.. Leedy postponed an i'm
portant conference to come to Minot
He said the Great Northern has start
ed an extensive advertising campaig
for immigrants thru the press, NOV
ing pictures, lectures and exhibits
They, are spending $4,000 to put o.
this campaign, besides will spend a
much more for booklets. They will
also begin their rates of one fare plu
$500 for round trip from St. Pau
to points in North Dakota and ma
even get this rate extended farthe
south. The Union Pacific fought tn
plan of giving these rates and tn
G. NJ and possibly one other road ar
the only ones that will give thes
rates. . Mr.. Leedy believes this will
stimulate immigration. He referee
to the conditions east and south of u
where the land is high priced an
rents are high. Altho the G. N. ha
started its advertising campaign il
the eastern farm journals only thi
month, the day before he left 81
Paul he had received 200 inquiries
He read communication receive,
from the Rio Grande Valley Lam
Mems association Of Kansas City,
concern representing capitalization
Of $50, 1000; 10000. This company
anxious to cooperate with the G. n
in sending farmers to North Dakota
Mr.. Leedy said the moving picture