American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-12-13
PLAN HOMESTEADS
FOR UTAH FIGHTERS
Cooperative System Being Worked
Out by State and Federal Officials
Easy Payment Terms Proposed.


Homes and homesteads on the lands
of Utah for soldiers and sailors re-
turning from the war will be the OBJ
ject of a cooperative plan being
worked out by Governor Bamberger
and Franklin X. Lane, secretary OF
the interior, says the Salt Lake Tri-
hume. To put the work Of providing
ample opportunity for the fighting |
men to establish themselves on the
land into practical shape, Governor
Bamberger will propose to the next
legislature the passage of such laws
as shall clear away all obstacles.
Yesterday the governor received
from Secretary Lane letter on this
subject in which the federal official
urges the earliest possible action by
the state, in order that the proposal
may be got under way in time to offer
relief in a situation involving the re-
turn to peace pursuits of the legions
which have so recently been trans
ferred from the war footing.
"On September / last I wrote you
with respect to the proposition of
providing homes for returning SOL
diers and sailors through a plan
which involves cooperation of the
Nldle anu ltucldi ~
retary Lane says. "As the war has
came to an end we must get immedi-
ate action if we are to do anything
in that matter. The working out OF
the plan will involve legislation by
both the state and federal govern
ment
"In order that you may have some
thing definite before you to submit to
up a bill which I would be very glad
if you would present to the legisla-
ture if it meets with your approval"
1t may be that some changes in
the suggested draft of the measure
will be found necessary, Governor
Bamberger says, to meet constitution
al requirements of the state, but he
believes the offering is one which
will permit of the necessary cooper
alton between the state and the Unit
ed States in the undertaking.
Utah has already taken action in
the appointment of a committee tc
examine into and report upon one oi
the chief projects intended to be
brought to the purpose outlined by
Secretary Lane This is connected
with the great Colorado river basin
in which millions of acres of land lie
ready to be reclaimed upoR 1applica
ton of proper methods and the nee
essary financial support from th'
state and federal governments
Somewhere near a million acres o
this redeemable land lies within tn
confines of Utah. it is said by Stat
Engineer George F. McGonagle, wit
is a member of the committee ap
pointed to take up the proposition.
It is the purpose to open the land
to soldiers and sailors on the mos
favorable terms of acquisition and pay
ment. Installments of the purchas
price are not to be required for sev
eral years, or until the land become
productive, so that the men will b
able to sustain themselves and fam
lies. meantime financial aid in gel
ting machinery and seeds being avail
able Then the payments are to b
made so easy that they will practica
lv amount to no more than rents
fee.
The governor says that the Ttat
owes it to the fighters. as matter ;
gratitude for their splendid servic
in the war. to look out for the we
fare of the men and their familit
when the soldiers and sailors sha
return to the avocations of peac
For that reason. he says. he will
all in his power to forward the NOV
ment to an early and satisfaction
operating basis. Governor Bamberi
er says he will probably corfer pc
sonally at Washington with Secretal
Lane on the subject He will lea'
here Wednesday for Annapolis, No
10 attend the conference of governor
elect of the United States. and du
ing his absence. which may extend
near the first of the new year. he W
seek an opportunity for person
conference with the federal secreta'
CT tie interior.