Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-19
No Proper Agency Available.


bring these men and the land together.
There is only the land agent whose
name has often become one of re-
proach. His sole object Is to sell land
for as much money as possible.
'"The government should see to it
that land is available at fair prices.
There are great tracts OF idle land
throughout the country. Much of it is
ty of capital available that is ready
for investment in that land, If proper
arrangement is made for its develop
ment and sale. 1t probably will not be
necessary that the government should
actually handle the land. 1t should be
handled under government supervision
with a guarantee of certain maximum
profits.
Let US take an example: Outside of
New York thirty miles there is a tract
of idle land 500 acres in extent 1t
can be bought at price that is rea-
sonable. 1t has been examined by gov
eminent experts who say that Its soil
is good and that 1t is convertible into
productive farms.
There has been made available,
through funds seeking investment. or
through funds of large interests that
want their money to serve a good pur-
pose. the necessary backing to handle
this project. The land is bought.
Division Into Farms Next Step.
ut is cleared and divided into ten
acre farms. On every farm is placed
a house and barn. A horse, a COW, two
pigs and flock of chickens ere hourht
for each farm. Every detail is charged
up against the farm. To the money
expended Is added profit which pays
interest on the investment and make s
the development of the tract a sound
business undertaking. This profit and
no more is the developing company al
lowed to take.
/ Thus has the 500 acres become fifty
farms ready for occupancy.
when fifty families move into this
community. their very presence adds
value to the land. What few months
ago was an unoccupIed solitude is now
a dense settlement with family on
every ten acres The normal value of
the land has Immediately increased.
The investors have already made a
profit If the land reverts to them.
But this is no ordinary farming
community. In the first place. is is
built around a community center The
schoolhouse. the post office the store.
the community hall, the motion picture
show, are in the middle of the settle
ment Nobody lives mile from this
center. There is no isolation. The set
tiers rub against their fellows almost
| as they would In the city.
Discusses Another Element.
But there is another element in this
onstration farm.
when the 100000 men to be train
ed for the war come out Of the ranks
there Will be an unparalleled oppor-
tunity to work out this scheme on a
wholesome basis. These 100000 will
be fine sturdy young Americans. with
the discipline. the training, the eff
cheney, developed by their service.
Every one of them could go on one
of these farms and make himself a
good home. Not every one. possibly
not 25 per cent. would want to go on
a farm, but Is per cent would be $780,,
600 farmers. 100000 farm homes for
the future where there were none be-
fore. If but 10 per cent wanted to go
on farms. there would be 100000 farm
homes established. This would be no
mean asset to the nation.
las war measure a beginning
should be made. upon this great task
of the nation. The great mass Of peo-
pie should afford the opportunity to
get on to the land