The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1922-03-23

Railroads are preparing to handle
the greatest westward trek of home
seekers since 1916.
Passenger agents of lines operating
through the twin cities last week pre-
dicted that 1922 would bring thou.
sands of farmers from the east, south
and central states, seeking new
homes and prosperity in northern
Minnesota, the Dakotas, Montana and
southern provinces of Canada.
AstOnished at the large number OF
homeseekers who went west through
Minneapolis and st. Paul last week
on the first excursion, officials are
making plans to increase accomoda-
tions for persons taking advantage
of low rates to find new homes.
Big Rush Expected March %.
I'VE were surprised at the number
who bought tickets for the first ex-
cursion," H. M. Lewis, general pas
1--WE look for a real rush March %,
the day of the next excursion"
Il look for the largest movement
of homeseekers in six years." G. F.
Mcneil, assistant passenger agent
of the Northern Pacific at Min
neapolis, said. considering weather
conditions, there was an astonishing
number on our first excursion. Near
ly 100 homeseekers, a record for this
time of year, bought tickets on our
line.
Inquiries are pouring in from all
parts of the country. 1 know of one
land company that has lined up 35
men for one valley in Montana. This
company took out IL men March T."
Low Fares Spur Settlers.
o. H. Smith, Minnesota land COM
missioner, predicted that 1922 would
be the best one in years in this state.
"In Iowa, Illinois, and even in the
Dakotas, there are many farmers who
want the facilities that Montana
land affords he said. I'VE are ex-
pecting a great influx of settlers in
Montana this year, and the low
rates will help bring them in. We
are receiving a great many inquiries
and are sending out much informa-
ton"
The tide of western immigration,
which has been at low ebb during the
war years, is again rising.
But homeseekers today will find
conditions affecting their search for
western homes changed from days
gone by, according to E. F. Benson,
manager, department of immigration
and industry of the Northern Pacific
Railway company.
The policy of the new west must
be permanent land settlement rather
than mere land selling" said Mr..
Benson.
Encouraged by the special home
seekers rates available on north
western railroads this summer, many
will be attracted to the west.
Heretofore there has been too much
effort to get settlers on the land and
not enough, quite often, to keep them
Roads Shun Spectators.
cold fashioned methods of land
cannot succeed under pre-
ient conditions in developing the
vest.
"The time has passed when the
'ailroads, or any other influential
Lgency, will cooperate with mere
and spectators, but they will gladly
cooperate with those land owners
md real estate agents who make the
%ettlers' welfare their first considera-
ion.
Thousands now living in closely
populated eastern states, are eager to
move west, ito grow up with the
ountry,' but they will not move un-
il they know they have a chance to
ucceed.
Land Problem Big.
"The west needs people today more
han ever before. The United States
as no greater problem than the de-
elopment of its unused lands.
1.-THE Northern Pacific is ready to