The Greeley tribune., 1911-09-28
HELP new
CITIZENS
TO HOMES
IRRIGATION CON.
GIiESS TAKING STEPS
FOREIGNERS ALL WANT LAND
Government Aid to be Enlisted in
Missing Link in Present Laws
Governing Home
Seekers

Chicago, H., Sept. 22-One of
the most important subjects before
the United States today Is placing
the money-poor people in homes on
the land, according to the belief of
Geo. b. Barstow, former president
of the National Irrigation Congress,
which holds its nineteenth meeting
! in Chicago, December to 8. Mr..
Barstow says:
My unders standing, as discussed
in my address before the National
irrigation Congress that convened at
Spokane, is that the National Gov
ernment has already passed a law
providing for the establishment of
bureau of immigration, the purpose
| of which is to aid in assisting the
immigrants coming to our shores to
a right understanding as to where
they can best locate upon lands for
home-building. This bureau is also
| to work in conjunction with similar
bureaus created by the several
states, the better to accomplish that
much to be desired end. The i'm
lportance of this step is realized
when we consider that over seventy
five per cent of all the people COM
ing from other countries to our
shores have been cultivating the
| soil in their native lands.
But should not the national
government. if not the state, go a
step further? A large percentage
of immigrants land at our great
ports OF entry with insufficient
money to enable them to push out
west or to the southwest. Shall l,
who have always been broadly con-
seryative, be regarded as preaching
paternalism, or as socialistic in my
purpose, when suggesting that the
duty of the national government
may be found in providing. under
proper safeguard, a fund which may
be used to make loans of suitable
amounts to enable this thrifty and
frugal class of people to locate their
homes under the government irri-
| cation plants?
Does the duty of the state lie in
the care of her INDECENT and needy?
Does her duty lie in the enlighten-
ment of her ignorant? Is her duty
found in the proper protection of
her people by creating such laws as
to protect her citizens in the pursuit
of life, liberty and happiness? Then,
| inquire, does not the states duty
lie along the lines Of making such
wholesome provision for that part
of her true. though money-poor
people, as to obtain homes on the
land, thereby creating a truer and
nobler citizenship, and whereby we
shall require less almshouses and
jails and prisons?
II believe this to be one of the
most important subjects that can
occupy the serious attention of the
people of the United States at large
and by their state Legislatures and
the National Congress at Washing
ton.
Now, as I have said, we have the
immigration Bureau whose duty it
is to point out the land for the
landless man. But, we should sup
ply by national legislation the miss
ing link in this vital economic
chain, by providing for these worthy
immigrant farmers the money on
reasonable time and at a low rate
OF interest. payment to be secured
upon their purchases of the public
domain, of irrigated or dry farming
lands. as the farmer may prefer.
ITO this end I advocate that the
government provide an Immigra-
tion Land Fund to be placed under
the care and direction of the Secre-
tary of the Interior. That he shall
in conjunction with the Immigra-
ltion Bureau inaugurate such ma
chinery as is needful to select and
determine as to frugal and worthy
immigrant farmers. Those farmers
who shall choose irrigated lands
shall be placed under the care OF
the Reclamation Service, and those
who desire to locate on dry lands
shall be under the care of the Sec
retary OF Agriculture, for arranging
their settlement upon the lands so
chosen.