El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-01-17
OUR IDLE LAND MUST BE USED:T
HOW CANADA HANDLES PROBLEM

- ESTLESSKESS Of American farmers who have not
found locations to their liking has given fresh
- start the exodus Canada especially the great
northwest where the Canadian Pacific railroad offers
put farmers and their families Teadymade farms and
start them at raising 81 wheat This appeals espe-
av tenant of the SOUTH those of Texas and
Oklshoms and farmers in New Mexico who been IN
axle what they seek-a large possibilities
70 be secured with small capital
Yet the Canadian Pacific puts up TO the such
requirements that many Of those most anxious farm the
virgin wheat neds OF the northwest are unable to satisfy
them Out Of thousands Of applicants the Canadian Pa
c has put 1900 farmers its Teadymade farms in the
psst wear The Canadian Pacific requires pavmeut of
5000 from settlers and in addition to that they must have
money enough pay ordinary farm expenses carry
them through Until the first crop sold This would
AZ least $1,000 more Thus out Of 300 applicants from
tenant farmers Of Texas and New Mexico last year.
Canadian Pacific land department found onlr 20 of them
good financial prospects and finally sold to only three
Ire railroad company mas been Obliged TO make the
financial restrictions rigid TO protect its investments in
Buildings tools, fences and livestock The fact that
$500 cash payment IS required is not surprising It is
very moderate first payment improved 100 acre
property But II undoubtedly accounts for the limited
number Of farmers secured It nav be that anv others
encouraged by in 1915 and 1916 of the wheat
SO prairie land in eastern New Mexico the Es-
tana valley for instance, decided to remain home
and put what cash they could spare into seed instead of
into substantial farm buildings, living sort of camping
style until crop two had brought enough money
70 justify desirable permanent Improvements.
Canada has two good features of land legislation
which, had them, would help greatly in settling up
such Of unuvated lands susceptible of cutva-
ton One is state hail insurance and the other
personal property Hail insurance covers the chief
losses II Canada fund it provided by direct tax
al land In Alberta the tax rate for hail insurance IS
- mills. With us drouth insurance might take the place
Of hail insurance IN Canada.
Tie general taxation system is the old George single
tax doctrine Of making the land and not the improvements
bear the burden pensng the who does not improve
his property instead of the who does In Alberta and
Saskatchewan provinces al land taxed and the taxation
sufficiently high that owner can scarcely
afford to leave his property lie unproductive On the other
hand the who improves his land rewarded by having
70 pay TAX only his land His improvements and his
personal property not taxed Therefore proportion
20 his crop revenue his taxes very small
This taxation plan dscourages land speculation. With
u thousands thousands Of held In denes by
who 20 paying the low rate and bding their
tine 70 make cleanup" by selling out at high figure
When the value Of their land shall have risen by of
greater demand for land because Of the improvements
their industrious neghbors have put nearby prop
eTty High prices which the Of unimproved prop
ery ask Of prospective buyers keep many willing farmer
off the Land
Canadian provincial parlaments helping the work
ing farmer IN ways which American legislators
Iuctant follow but which would be Of great benefit in
settling Up the southwest by putting premium land
Cultivation and penalty holding It in idleness With
changing whole system Of taxation to conform to
the single plan It would be matter of great diff
fzcuty PIT penalty keeping land idle by following
the Canadian example in another way Canadian western
provinces levy wild land tax" Of $40 section in addi