The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-20
Rx HUGH SUTHERLAND
Fourteenth letter.

III mile trip lust made through typi-
~ cal sections OF the congested dis
.-icts. the writer has had every op-
portunity for examining at close
range the remarkable work that has
been done toward ameliorating the con-
ditfon OF the inhabitants of large ter
ritorv. Now. as seven years ago, he
has used not second hand information,
but the evidence of his own eyes. Then
he told Of poverty and helplessness and
Injustice which he actually witnessed;
now he describes upon the same basis
Of ocular demonstration conditions Of
prosperity and comfort and hope in
fdentically the same sections of the
country
To show the extent and thorough
ness OF this investigation. I shall set
down a brief, consecutive record of
the tour I have made. with the chief
land inspector of the congested dis
tricts board at my side to explain the
meaning Of every piece Of work accom-
plished. under way or projected
Joy of independence
' leaving Castlerea, County Roscom-
mon. our motor car travelled about four
miles in 2 southeasterly direction.
Reaching Mullag aghaduhy hill, we had
view. as already described, Of several
miles Of land. formerly grazing ranches,
upon which more than 100 families
have been placed These families were
migrated" is the official
term-distances varying from 4 to 20
miles. They had occupied miserable
bog and hillside holdings. where even
the most heart breaking labor could
not produce enough to support them
Placed on these fertile lands, in neat,
comfortable houses built for them. they
are paying their own way, and for the
first time in their lives know the life
giving JOY of independence. For it
must be understood that there is no
nushy philanthropy about this great
economic work The wise men-Irish-
men all-who compose the congested
districts board have neither the power
nor the desire TO pauperize these victims
Of the villainous old land system A
chance-that is all the tenants get
when they are created land owners.
Paw for improvements
It is true that certain works. which
are not directly reproductive. are paid
for out OF the income of the board;
but very nearly all of such expendi-
lures, including drainage. walls, build
ings. etc. are charged TO the land as
lst is sold to the tenants. The cost is
added to the sale price. and repaid in
the yearly installments Of purchase
money Besides the opportunity to
make a decent living. the new land
owners have the consciousness that
they are receiving no gift of govern
rnent charity, but by their labor under
lust conditions are paying for their
farms. the buildings and all improve
.ments.
\ Swinging TO the north through the
little village of Castleplunket, the car
passed through good farming land to
the town Of Bellanagore, and. a mile or
so 10 the southeast Of that point.
brought US TO Rathnallog. Here the
operations Of the board were seen in a
different phase. A big estate had been
cut lIp into small farms. and upon each
holding was being erected a slate
rooted house Of stone. with trim out
buildings. In this one section %
houses are in course of erection. some
Of them being almost ready for occu-
pancy.
Returning through Bellanagore, the
course lay northwest to Frenchpark.
through sections OF the great Dillon.
Murphy and De Freyne estates. These
large properties were purchased sew
eral years ago by the board. and the
work has created decent living condi-
lions for several thousand families who
had existed in helpless poverty.
Not in every case. it must be under
stood. can the board confer an adequate
amount Of land. Congestion of popu-
lation in some districts is a stern fact
which can not be overcome. But in
these cases the Encouragement of scat
tered holdings into compact farms; the
training OF wet land; the building Of
roads into districts lacking easy access
TO markets, and the assistance of hold
ers toward improving the condition of
the houses and outbuildings have
worked a marvellous Improvement.
In passing. we may get an idea Of
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