The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1922-06-08

The Immigration problem should be
made 4 prominent Issue III this state.
There Il room here for . million more
people, most Of whom could be accom-
modated In the country districts. The
world &C large demands the products
Of bur soil and the present popula-
ton also needs more producers to
sare with them the burdens of taxa
ton. In vain We complain about high
taxes and d > the tax issue for politi-
cal propaganda when the logical solu-
tion is more production, the fuller de-
velopment Of our agricultural acreage
and more taxpayers located on the
millions Of acres OF undeveloped farm
and pasture lands Of the state.
Our taxes may be pared down to a
point bordering on Inefficient schools
and Inefficient public, service and
while it will help some, the relief
will prove disappointing. Taxes viii
still remain burdensome. What the
state needs is more taxpayers, more
agricultural development, more pro-
duction, a more extensive use of our
natural resources as we'll as, re-
trenchment in cost of government.
Must GO After Them
Left to chance, homeseekers will
come to the state about as custom
rs flock to the store of the mer-
chant who does not advertise. How
ever, as long as homesteaders were to
be had for the filing settlers came
in droyes. But that day is past and
though North Dakota is full of op-
portunities for homeseekers, and
land can be bought at attractive
prices and on easy terms, neverthe-
less these facts must constantly be
made known to eastern investors and
renters if we hope to secure a rea-
sonable share of the drift of popu-
lation from the high priced lands OF
the east and south to the cheap lands
of the west and northwest.
b. Naturally the first step is an i'm
migration movement is to induce
h~omeseekers to visit the state during
the growing season and see the coun-
try at a time when they can form
an accurate Judgment as to its soil,
crops, farmsteads, market, towns,
roads, and other evidence of a pro-
gressive and stable civilization. For
until they see and investigated they
will not invest. =.
Crop Payment Plan Urged
The next step is for those having
farms for sale to make contracts,
the terms of which can be complied
with with some degree of certainty
The crop payment plan affords the
buyer a square deal, though the av.
erage farmer wishing to sell his farm
will seldom be SO situated that he
can sell on the crop payment plan
Banks and loan agents, however
with farms obtained through fore.
closures and otherwise, and there are
many such farms for sale, are in pc.
sition, as a rule, to use this form
of contract. @
This office has prepared a form OF
contracts that safeguards the pur.
chaser from being taken advantage
of on account of default, resulting
from auses over which he has nc
control, and which also compels the
purchaser to practice diversified
farming by the strict terms of his
contract. At the same time the sell,
er's interest is not overlooked.
Citizens Cooperating
1t may be noted in passing that
the Importance of encouraging immi-
grafton has taken a firm hold upon
the forward looking citizens of many
sections of the state. Local immi-
grafton and development associations
have been organized in many coun-
ties for the purpose of attracting set
tiers to their respective commune
ties. AS far as possible this office
cooperates with local associations
but with only funds sufficient to
maintain an office force, practically
no field work can be undertaken.
However, the extensive advertising
campaign carried on. during the past
80 months has acquainted the east.
ern states with opportunities North
Dakota has in store for homeseekers
This, taken in conjunction with oul
mail propaganda and the splendid eff.
forts being made by scores of com
munity organizations, operating with
funds subscribed locally, and the out
look for new settlers this fall anc
next year is promising.
Money Shortage. Hampers Move
One serious drawback to immigra.
tion is the inability Of farm owners
and renters in other states who arr
disposed to nov to dispose of theil
property there on account of money
shortage. From all accounts the mon.
ey stringency in adjoining states is
no. less than herein fact many
claim it is less severe here than
there.
However, with a good crop, which
the abundance of moisture practically
insures, we may look for many Wis,
itors coming here during the summer
with a view of locating in the state
if local conditions appeal to them.
Moreover, while our farm lands are
offered for less than their intrinsic
value, it is not so much the price that
is demanded as the terms the. buyers
successe or failure. A crop failure,
hail storm OF sickness resulting in
failure to meet obligations should not
dispossess the buyer Of his equity,
but long time payments at reasonable