Evening journal., 1914-08-11
LANDS FOR SPORT.
none FOR PEOPLE
Inquiry Shows Scotland
Cares More for Grouse
Than for Humanity
MANY LIVE IN
0NE-RO0M HUTS
BY ED. L. KEEN,
Oondon Correspondent OF the United
PregsD

Press.)
LONDON, Aug. l1.-That Scotland
cares more for its deer and grouse
than II does for its men and women
and children, has long been a matter
Of general knowledge. But the Brit
ish public was totally unprepared for
the startling revelation Of the evils Of
the land system in that part Of the
Empire which have just been made
BY the Scottish land inquiry commit
tees.
Il was known that vast tracts OF
land that might be devoted to aericul-
ture were used soley as game pre-
serves for the occasional recreation
Of the landed aristocracy and their
friends But it was not known that as
a result nearly half the urban popula-
tion Of Scotland live more than two in
a room, nor that over a fifth Of the
population live more than three in
room, and under conditions of insani-
tation and immortality that rival those
prevailing in the worst slums of the
metropolis The effect of The report,
which was prepared by the Clifford
Pinchot, Of England, Ian MACPHERSON,
NJ, P. and corps of experts private
ly appointed by Lloyd George to make
an exhaustive investigation into the
social and economic conditions in the
rural parts Of Great Britain. has been
a Il -. a, I.... q
reform campaign of the Chancellor
OF the ENchequer. Many OF the com
mlttees recommendations particu-
iariy with reference to the breaking
up Of these huge Scottish estates by
aholishing the present entail system.
their taxation according to site value.
II was learned today, are to be incor-
porated in the governments land bill,
,which is now in the course Of prepara-
Son
The committee was able to show
that the landed proprietors have al
most made a mockerv of the recent
law whereby local communities may
acquire agricultural tracts for the
benefit Of small holders. Compensa-
tion far above the actual value OF the
land invariably is claimed. and as
result, the demand for these small
holdings remains nnsatisfied through
out the country An instance IS
cited where the Glasgow Corporation
had % pay sl50,000 for farming see
tion Of II acres, the real value of
which, based on actual rentals. was
only $4,000 and in addition had 70
reimburse the owner 70 the extent OF
$4,000, for the alleged damages 10 the
amenity' Of some 3SS acres OF swamp
land, Of no value TO anybody. Still un-
satisfied, the owner brought in a bin
OF $1,000 damages 10 fishing and
shootings and collected il.
More than one-fifth OF Scotland-or
3,5S9.f44 acres out of a total OF 49,
010 ,466-is occupied by deer forests or
IS otherwise exclusively devoted to
sport f" The committee does not con
tend that the whole Of this area is till /
able, but il is pointed out that more
than 100000 acres are below the 900
foot 1cFel9.and as such, could readily
be turned TO agriculture, while proba-
bly, twice as much, situated contig-
nous 70 good farming country. couid
ne utilized for grazing. There are
some 200 of these deer forests. rang
ing IN extent from 100 to 10000
acres, nine OF them over 10000, acres
IN extent, the chief owners being the
Duke Of Richmond and Gordon, the
MARQUIS Of zetland, and the trustees
Of the Duke of Fife.
The general rapacity Of Scottish
landlords and their utter indifference
70 the agricultural development of the /
country have resulted in steady de-
population of the rural districts and
the consequent orowding Of the cit |
les and towns not to mention the 1
growing emigration to the colonies. A I
striking commentary on the attitude 1
Ok the landlords is the fact that in the |
past 80 years the number of farm la /
borers ~ Scotland has decreased from /
$4,000 20 $1,000, while in the same Z
period the number of game-keepers I
has increased from $4,000 to 10000 /
Ian MACPHERSON believes that unless
The government itself takes stops to
sheck this progress process and end
,an only be the destruction Of an that
Won for Scotland the enviable place
'he holds in history. and that the
breeding ground OF the hardest and A
nfIhest branch OF the British race 4
viii inevitably become the home Of ill I.
Housed, under-fed, amhitionless, mis-
'rable city slum dwellers.
Already the percentage OF persons
wing in one-room huts in Scottish
owns Of more than 1000 inhabitants
81, while thousands Of capable and
experienced men. eager to till the soil.
espite the present disabilities Of the
enant farmer in regard to conflsca.
ion Of his Improvements. arbitrary
Increase of his rent and arbitrary
yiction, are unable TO find locations
or their activities.
We do not criticize the indulgence F
4 any reasonable form of sport"
avs the committee. except where
hat indulgence is carried to a point
'hich is seriously and undeniably de-
to the preservation Of rural
opulation. We consider that the land
: country should be turned to full
coount and that a reasonable MAXI
lum product of what il can produce
hould be taken from it"