The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-10-21
Land FOR SOLIERS
STATE EXPECTS TO GREATLY IN
GREASE ITS POPULATION
WHEN BOYS COME BACK.

Pierre, Oct. 21.-How to distrib-
ute the millions of soldiers through
the country when they return is a
growing problem and South Dakota
with its thousands of acres that can
be titled and cultivated into profit
able lands, expects to greatly in
crease its population when the boys
come back.
Charles McCaffree, commissioner
of immigration for the state, is send
ing out a circular letter In which he
asks for ideas on the subject. Mr..
McCaffree says:
1t is expected that there will be
one million and a half soldiers taken
from the farms of America for the
army. At least as many should be
returned to stabilize the economic
situation following the war. Many
people are assuming that because of
the break in the soldiers lives and
their new experience, many former
residents of towns will wan to get
on farms. Some soldiers will not
have the means to get farms.
There is a united sentiment for
giving 1.-The boys" a chance to get
land with small investment, but no
plans have been agreed upon for ac-
complishing the purpose.
These questions come to mind:
J First, is 1t best to get a large tract
of land, improve it in units, assure
marketing facilities, furnish such in
struction as needed, In short proceed
as a colony? Or, second, Is 1t best
to provide a means OF financing any
such purchase of land as a soldier de-
sires for a home, perhaps a more lib
eral adaptation of the rural credit
plan? Then will come other ques-
tions-first, whether the govern
ment and state land only shall be Of
fered; second, whether private lands
should be purchased and improved
or, third, whether both should be
used.
The federal government has little
free homestead land worth taking.
South Dakota owns some splendid
land and could care for most of our
own soldiers, IL ii could be all divid-
ed among them, but that Is not prac-
tical or desired. In any case, we
should have a place for many from
the closely settled states and state
land alone cannot answer.
You have likely seen Secretary
Lanes letter proposing, first. irriga-
ton of arid lands; second, drainage
of swamp lands; or third, clearing oil
cut over land. A South DakotaT
would add, fourth, the settlement Of
good productive prairie, where
pillow can be driven a mile withou1
any expensive development and
where the best forage grass in tn.
world is grown.
Suggestions have been mainly de
voted to group settlement, and per
haps the reclamation OF land Is nee
essary under present conditions, bu'
any state can find sufficient decided
land not operated by the owners Il
care for many of its soldiers. Man,
will want to settle In the old hons
neighborhood, perhaps joining faith
er's farm. 1t should be considered
that all soldiers will not wish to fol
low the same pursuits; some will
want to be horticulturists, some poul
try men, some truck farmers, SOM
herdsmen, some will want to worl
for wages. Thus all conditions o
the whole union will have something
Ito offer.
The federal government is forming
plans in this matter. Those interest
ed In South Dakota development, ant
anxious to serve our soldiers. arr
giving 1t attention. We feel sur'
you have given 1t some thought, ant
would like to get your suggestion
Which is the most feasible and de
sirabe plan? Would you please
write at length? This will be great
ly appreciated.
II UU ~"InUxO HxRY4HM