The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1924-05-14
State Marching
Along Nicely
LAND BARGAINS ARE BEING
PICKED UP, SMITH
DECLARES.


"What do 1 think of the express.
ions of sympathy for the farmer now
circulating the rounds of current dis.
cussion?"
Answering the question with vehem
ance an a we'll timed explosion, Oscar
| Smith, commissioner of immigration
for the state of Minnesota, declared
/ to a representative Of the Minnesota
| Realty association who put the ques
ton.
/ Bunk! Nothing but a plain case
/ of unjustifed self-deception. Min
nesota farmers are neither broke
or in need of sympathy. This state
! is marching right along, as it al
ways has, one of the richest and most
productive areas of the world. Oul
farm lands are drawing thousands Of
good men to them because the land is
priced as low as it ever will be in the
history Of this state
"Our department this spring has
received flood of inquiries for in
formation on land in this state from
all sections of the country. These in
quiries come from class of men who
are substantial and have money tc
invest in Minnesota. Do they think
land is inflated in Minnesota? Not
in the least! They are only too anx-
ious to get into the state and pick up
the snaps they are now offered"
1--WE have received more inquiries
from Canada this spring than in any
previous period of the history of the
immigration department The south
and southwest is also heavily repre-
sented."
Land Bargains Snapped Up
Mr.. Smith expressed the opinion
that the best evidence that land gen
orally throughout the state was rea-
sonablv valued, was the fact that the
shrewd farmers and investors were
quietly in the bargains by the score.
''The farmer who is a good bust
ness man doesn't go crepe hanging
around the country because his pro-
fession is passing through period
of economy. He has confidence and
foresight enough to know that never
again for the next twenty years will
he have chance to buy land as rea-
sonably as now.
Department Helps Tourists
Explaining the operation of the SER
vices that the Department of Immi-
grafton extends to prospects who are
interested in Minnesota, MI. Smith
said.
eve have been called on to furnish
assistance along lines entirely new TO
this office, yet in valuable for the
stranger. | speak of the work of
planning and routing automobile tours
for parties of land seekers who wish
to examine all the different types of
soil in Minnesota without wasting a
lot of travelling time These tours are
carefully planned over the excellent
highways of the state. anP assist the
land seeker in studying the market
advantages of his farm purchase. In
the old days the railroad was depended
on to haul all of the farmers products.
Now. the motor car conquers many of
the difficulties, and is distinctly fac
tor in selling a piece of land.
Department Helps Settlers
Under a system introduced by Mr.
Smith in the immigration department
the services of the state have been
widely extended in following
through" with the prospective land
settler.
'This department is determined to
reduce the number of failures to the
lowest possible point" said Mr.. Smith
"1nstead of encouraging each and ev-
cry prospect who applies for ltera-
ture, we make an effort to draw out
I the prospect as to his means, expert
ences, and whether he has at least an
even break for success. There is no
use in encouraging liabilities, or haz-
ards The desirable class of settlers
are those who became permanent resi-
dents and thrifty citizens of this rich
state"
+ can average of over two thousand
new families have been attracted into
the state each year for the past -four
years by the efforts of the depart
ment."
Secretary Nelson reports many new
members joining the State association
among realty dealers and land own
ers throughout the state. Each mem
Der is sending in a classification OF
lands offered in his county with prices
on same which will be available at
the office of the State Association.
The devil isn't so smart. 1t never