The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-06

VIII be ASKED To pass tho btll before this
Christmas holidays, hut the matter Is
decidedly uncertain due TO the Rhsorp-
ton Of congress over the developments
lately arising indicating that politics is
likely TO consume the remainder OF the
present session.
State Must Act.
But even II the congress shall pass
the legislation, this territory would not
secure any advantage from IT, unless
the atates should pass enabling acts
Arkansas has the matter well In hand
and may be depended upon to keen her
legislature this year and there is no
Indication that Gov, Biloo will convene
an extraordinary session The Tennes-
see legislature meets In January and by
that time the fate IT the national legis-
lation will he known and the state
The plan, roughly stated, Is for the
government and tho states to acquire
large tracts of land, something IKE
10000 acres to the tract, for deVelop-
ment The soldiers win be paid for
clearing, fencing, draining and lmproy.
ing y and building good roads through
soldiers at a reasonable price with a
long period In which to pay for It. The
government will exercise general super
vision over the cultivation and will
teach and direct the cultivation ol
crops according to the best approved
keting win he taught ana tho former
soldier will have every opportunity and
every assistance to make him an inde4
pendent and successful farmer with a
small outlay OF money
England has operated the scheme
somewhat on that line In Australia and
nA al IN -
proposed for the returning soldiers in
Germany.
II Will be surprising to many to learn
that tho government has conducted a
census among the soldiers who came
from the farm and II is said that the
plan proposed is looked upon by them
with favor
Committee Busy.
Frank 4. Hayden, chairman OF a
committee Of the Chamber OF Com
mcrco, called together few advisers
Thursday for discussion OF tho plan,
and II was agreed that the club should
be asked to take active measures for
fostering the movement, Among those
who went over the matter with him
were c, J. Haase, @, 7. F1tEhush, II. NJ.
Cottrell and J. N. Goff, who, while not
altogether agreed as to the details Of
the measure, were Of tho opinion that
the Chamber Of Commerce should be
prepared with the necessary funds and
the necessary organization to carry out
without delay the provisions OF what
ever legislation may be passed on the
subject by locating the colony. or sew
erai colonies, In tho Memphis territory.
Mr.. Hayden made public several let
tors no had received from different
members OF the congress- on the sub
jtct, Those who wrote TO him In re-
sponse To his inquiry concerning their
attitude on the legislation were Repre-.
Sims and Padaett Of Tennessee. Each
expressed general approval of the
scheme without committing himself
to any particular measure on the sub
ject.
II Ia expected that tho citizens
throughout the, country VII communi,,
cato with their representatives and
urge their favorable consideration Of
tho measure II Ia believed that suf-
fioient pressure can be brought to bear
II the public can be sufficiently aroused
to guarantee the enactment Of the law
Outlines Plan.
Mr.. Hayden said Friday that tho pub
licity campsl Ign which he and members
OF his committee have mapped out may
be outlined as follows .,-
among the people OF Memphis and the
Memphis territory TO enllEhten them
on the plans NJ tho government for
| settling returned soldiers on lands In
various parts OF the country to arouse
them 10 the necessity Of prompt and
| vigorous action, and TO gain their
| whole hearted support In the move
ment
second: Appointment OF commit
too that will have charge OF pushing
tho necessary legislation through con-
Ercss,
Third; Appointment Of a trl-stRtes
leg Elaiative committee that viii cooper
ate with tho gentlemen who have been
named to look after preparation Of the
enabling acts required IN these states
and that will aid In securing passage
OF such laws as are needed to insure
tho success OF the soldier farm move
,I