236 The Dawn of a Xew Constructive Era 



Senator Ransdell Sends Greet- 

 ings to Conference 



Washington, D. C, April 11, 1917. 

 Cut-Over Land Conference of the South, 

 New Orleans, La. 



L deeply regret that imperative official business prevents me 

 from attending the Cut-Over Land Conference of the South in 

 your city today. The cut-over pine lands of the South consti- 

 tute a vast domain susceptible of wonderful potentialities in ag- 

 riculture and forestry, which should call for our very best efforts 

 in constructive statesmanship. 



I hope the Conference will form a permanent organization 

 to handle these lands in a big way in connection with our various 

 state officials and commercial bodies in our principal Southern 

 cities. 



We must demonstrate honestly and on a large scale for what 

 purposes these lands are best adapted, whether reforestation 

 with quick growing trees, or agriculture in its many forms, es- 

 pecially live stock. 



Then we must invite immigration and settlement by honest 

 advertising. We must tell the whole truth about our lands, and 

 devise plans to protect prospective settlers from real estate 

 sharks. 



There is so much merit in these lands that we are bound to 

 have great success in disposing of them if these methods are fol- 

 lowed. 



I pledge my loyal support to the good cause in every way 

 possible. 



(Signed) Jos. E. Ransdell. 



