The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1918-12-05

Never before hav there been
agencies In existence in this coun-
try which knew SO much of tho
field OF supplies. Of labor. and Of
industry as the war industries
board, the war trade board, the
labor department. the food ad-
ministration and the fuel adminis-
tration have known since their
labors became thoroughly SYSTEM
affixed: and they have not been iso-
lated agencies. they have been d.
rected by men which represented
the permanent departments of the
government and SO have been the
centers OF unified and cooperative
action. 1t has been tho policy Of
the executive, therefore. since the
arnistice vas assured (Which Is
In effect a complete submission Of
the enemy TO put the knowledge OF
those bodies at the disposal of the
business men OF the country and tO
offer their intelligent mediation at
every point and in every matter
where IL was desired. It Is sur
prisinS how fast the process OF re-
turn TO a peace footing has moved
In the three weeks since the fight
Ing stopped. II promises to outrun
any inquiry that may be instituted
and any aid that may be offered.
II will not be easy 70 direct it any
better than 1t will direct itself.
The American business man is Of
quick initiative.
Urges Public Work.
The ordinary and normal prnc-
esses OF private initiative viii rrt.
however, provide immediate er1-
ployment for all Of the mel OF our
returning armies. Those who arc
OF trained capacity. those Who ara
skilled workmen. those who have
acquired familiarity with estab-
fished businesses. those who are
ready and willing to go to the
farms. all those whose aptitudes
are known or will be sought out
by employers. will And no diff
Guilty, 1t Is safe to say, In finding
place and employment. But there
will be others who will be at a loss
where to gain a livelihood unless
pains are taken to guide them and
put them in the way Of work.
There will be a large floating re-
siduum of labor which should not
be left wholly to shift for itself.
1t seems to me important, there
fore. that the development of pub
lie works OF every sort should be
promptly resumed. in order that
opportunities should be created for
uuskilled labor In particular, and
that plans should be made for such
developments Of our unused lands
n u natural as we
have hitherto lacked stimulation to
undertake.
Land Reclamation.
particularly direct your atten-
ton to the very practical plans
which the secretary Of the interior
has developed In his annual report
and before your committee for the
reclamation OF arid, swamp and
cut-oyer lands which might, IL the
states were willing and able to CO.
operate, redeem some 800. 900, 900
acres OF land for cultivation. There
are said to be is 5000, 900 or 20, 000,-
900 acres of land in the west.
at present arid, for whose recla-
nation water Is available IL prop
erly conserved. There are about
230, 900 900 acres from which the
forests have been cut, but which
have W. yet been cleared for
the pillow, and which lie waste and
desolate. These lie scattered all
- over the union. And there are
nearly SO 1000, 900 acres of land tina
lie under swamps or subject to
periodical overflow or too we FOR
anything but grazing, which IT is
perfectly feasible to drain and pro-
teCt and redeem. The congress
can at once direct thousands or II
returning soldiers to the reclama-
ton OF arid lands which it has al
ready taken, If IL will but enlarge
their plans and appropriations
which 1t has entrusted to the de-
partment OF the interior.
II is possible in dealing with
49,, ,.,cn Ianl 70 affaOt n great
rural and agricultural develop
ment which will afford the best
sort of opportunity to men who
want to help themselves: n the
secretary Of the interior has
thought the possible methods out
in a way which Is worthy OF your
most friendly attention.
France Needs Help.
I have spoken of the control
which must yet for a while, per-
haps for a long while, be exercised
over shipping because OF II pri-
GRITTY of service to which our
forces overseas are entitled, anu
which should also be accorded the
shipments which are to save re-
rently liberated peoples from
starvation and many devastated
regions from permanent ruin. May
| rot say "a special word about tho
needs of Belgium and northern
France? No sums OF money paid
by way OF indemnity will serve OF
themselves to save then o
hopeless disadvantage for years TO
come. Something more must be
done than merely find tho money.
II they had money and raw ma
terials IT. abundance tomorrow they
could not resume their place in the
f. -. - A. ,.,o-Il hA ry.nNY
important place they held before
the flame of war swept across
them. Many OF their factories are
RACED to the ground. Much of
their machinery is destroyed or
has been taken away Their peo-.
pie are scattered and many of their
best workmen are dead. Their
markets will be taken by others, IL
they are not in some special way
assisted to rebuild their factories
and replace their lost instruments
OF manufacture.
Urges Priorities.
They should not be left 20 the
vicissitudes Of the sharp competi-
ton for materials and for industrial
facilities which is now set in. /
hope. therefore. that the congress
will not be unwilling, If it should
become necessary to grant to some
such agency as the war trade board
the right to establish priorities of
export and supply for the benefit
OF these people whom we have been
so happy to assist in saving from
the German terror and whom W.
must not now thoughtlessly leave
to shift for themselves in a p~itiless
competitive market.
Prompt Tax Legislation.
E0c the and faI ,itn.