THE DRY FARMING CONGRESS. 



49 



move.' Now, Mr. John Sebastian, of the Rock Island, can testify that 

 I have made a great success in starting the Scandinavians West. Now 

 why is it? 



Desirable Immigration. 



"It is easy to explain. I offer them colonies. I guarantee churches 

 and schools. If they cannot afford it themselves, I will build them my- 

 self and stand all expenses. I do not go after poor people, as poor 

 people will not make a success of farming here. I tell them they need 

 one thousand dollars for things outside of the investment of the land 

 and house. I make the first year as easy as possible and never call 

 for a payment until the second year after the first payment is made, 

 as the first year is the hardest. However m.any pay the farms out at 

 once. I believe that if the country does not stand inspection and in- 

 vestigation it is a crime to sell lands to people who are barred from 

 information through cunning. It is just the same as obtaining money 

 under false pretenses, therefore, I throw the country open and let them 

 investigate wherever thy wish. T give them a taste of what they can 

 expect by telling them about the dry farming methods. I have trans- 

 lated chapters of Campbell's manual and have sent them out to tell their 

 story, covering summer fallow, the dust, mulch blanket, sub-surface pack- 

 ing, etc. I avoid the great expenses connected with the complicated 

 system of agents and also private sleepers and private trains. They are 

 not necessary but for those who want to bar their landseekers from 

 getting desirable information. I use sleepers, but my home-seekers pay 

 their share of the expenses. 



"1 use good conservative advertisements in such papers as 'Skandi- 

 naven,' 'Decorah Posten,' 'Svenske Tribunen,' 'Danske Pioneren.' I never 

 exaggerate, and I am persistent, insistent and consistent. 



"Now, if any of you are interested in what I have had to say, I 

 am honored. And if I shall be the means of starting a more generf?! 

 Scandinavian immigration to this part of the United States, I have 

 reached my goal today. I shall always be willing to assist in anything 

 that is to the betterment of the Trans-Missouri field And, I am honored * 

 by being identified as one of you. 



"Oklahoma wishes The Trans-Missouri Dry Farming Congress the 

 greatest success and hopes it will prosper so that we can count every 

 energetic, intelligent and progressiTe citizen of this territory a member." 



NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICERS. 



Chairman McColl announced that all nominations for the committee- 

 men must be placed in the hands of the Secretary before the opening 

 of the evening session. Delegations were urged to meet at the close of 

 the session for the purpose of making selctions. 



OREGON. 



William D. Hanly, of Burns, Oregon, not being able to be present, 

 sent the following letter, which was read by Chairman McColl: 



