New-York tribune., 1918-12-13
Public Lands for
Soldiers Urged by
Secretary Wilson
Their Colonization, Along
With Sailors, Is Favored
by Head of Labor Depart
ment in Annual Report

WASHINGTON Dec. 12.-Coloniza-
ton by returned soldiers and sailors
of large tracts of land under the di-
rection and with the aid of the Fed
eral government is recommended as q
solution of many Of the labor prob
lens arising from demobilization by
Secretary Of Labor Wilson in his an
nual report, made public to-day. The
government should, in the opinion of
Mr.. Wilson, establish and equip indi-
vidual farms, which would be linked
into community groups.
The war has demonstrated the pa
triotism and loyalty of American
labor, the report says, and in the con-
tinuance of the spirit of sacrifice"
on the part Of employer and employe
shown during the war, Secretary Will
son believes, "lics the hope for the
further attainment and development
during the days of peace of that de-
mocracy for which we have taken up
arms"
The right of collective bargaining,
long recognized by the Department of
Labor, Secretary Wilson declares, has
son of the war. He adds that of the
principles upon which that agreement
was founded can endure the stress of
war, it is fair to suppose that even
greater success will attend their ap-
plication during the calmer periods of
peace"
To solve the labor problem arising
from reconstruction, Mr.. Wilson rec
ommends the continuation of the la
Dor adjustment agency Of the Ma
tional War Labor Board. Agreements
have been effected between labor and
employers through this agency, the
report says, by which certain prin-
ciples have been placed above further
dispute.
Agricultural areas should be pur-
chased by the Federal government
and added to the public domain to
provide land for the carrying out of
the proposed colonization programme
for returned members Of the military
forces, the report asserts. 1t is pro-
posed that the administration of the
programme be directed by. board
consisting of the heads of the Agri-
cultural, Interior and Labor depart
ments.
Legislation needed to carry out the
plan, Secretary Wilson believes, should
include these provisions:
The possibility Of commercialied
speculation must be eliminated.
Colonists must be given access, not
only to land, but to farms; not to the
bare soil, but 20 fully equipped agri-
cultural plants ready to operate
The farms themselves must be weld
ed together into genuine communities,
by provision for roads, schools and
markets, under the general supervision
OF the Federal government.
Arrangements have been completed,
says the report, to care for demobilzied
men who do not care to take up farm
work so far as possible through the
United States employment service. a
branch OF the department. On this
point the Secretary says:
I'm presenting these recommends
tons at this time, | regard it unnec-
essary to point out further possibili-
ties. IN setting forth the necessity for
land settlement l am not unmindful
OF the vast numbers who must again
find their places in our complex in
dustrial organization 1t is too early
at present to forecast accurately the
industrial organization or needs of our
nation after the war All the properly
adapted facilities of the Department
OF Labor are at present engaged in
the study of those problems for recon
stuctlon peculiar to manufacturing and
secondary industry; and from time to
time shall have recommendations and
conclusions to present based upon such
studies"