Evening star., 1918-09-29
Plans to Aid Our Soldiers After the War Is Over

coming soldier. 1t Is hoped that upon
the soldiers arrival plans wIis pe SO
Far consummated that the govern.
ment can offer him list showing the
location and kind OF farm land avail.
able. and from this the sofdler. after
carefully consulting authorities, can
choose the ground he believes best
suited to the line of farm occupation
he wishes to pursue. A brief course
of practical instruction will be strong.
ly advised for those men unfamiiar
terestins himself on the farm the SOL
dier will. in q sense. still be IN the
employ Of Uncle Sam. He Will be aid.
ing largely in the development OF
new territory. his crops WIFI ado to
the wealth Of the nation. MS term .ht o.
he can assist very materially IN rais:
ing the standard of living and, best
of all, he will find himself pros
porous and thoroughly satisfied cite
izen.
X X
Secretary Lane maintains that plans
should be prepared in detail and that
the actual work should be performed
by the soldier. A congressional ap"
preparation has already made 1t pos
sible for the reclamation service to
continue it's surveys and more clear
ly define its projects. But, IN all
probability, the soldier will later be
given the opportunity to help In the
construction Of dam or canal, in
the building Of house or the digging
Of ditch.
As soon as it will be an advantage
to all concerned Secretary Lane urges
that the new farmer be given an in
terest in the land he expects to own.
In regard to the payment it has been
suggested that in case the soldier
hasn't the wherewithal at his disposal
with which to purchase the farm he
wants. the government make ar
rangements whereby the necessary
money can be loaned. The unders
standing would be that repayment
would be made at as eafly date as
would meet the convenience of the
soldier. No doubt, in a large mum.
Der of cases. the payment would ex-
tend over a long period. possibly
thirty or forty years. But under no
circumstances should 1t be made i'm.
possible for hoMe-returning soldier
to secure farm land with certain ac-
commodations If he wishes and needs
them.
Nations other than the United
States have already begun to make
preparations for their home coming
soldiers. They are even more fore
their legislative bodies have already
passed certain rulings covering this
line Of work. Not only England but
her colonies consider this question
one of prime Importance at the pres
ent time Parliament. through legisla..
agriculture and fisheries to claim cer-
perimentation. The purpose is. of
course. to provide homes and employ
ment for Tommy Atkins.
These farms to be acquired by the
soldiers are small, no one farm ex-
ceeding fifty acres in extent. They
have been classified as follows: Dairy
ms. mixed farming and market gar
dening. Men who have lacked prac-
tirely ignorant, of fundamental facts
governing agriculture will be given
the necessary instruction and train
ing on government demonstration
farm. Not until they are we'll fitted
for their new work will ground be
allotted to them. The British Isles
have. unfortunately, comparatively
little land which they can give up to
this work. Yorkshire and Lincoln
shire are said to be rendering the
territory with great pride and pa
triotism to the cause.
The Canadian will be more fortunate
IN securing more ground for his activi-
ties. In the Dominion there are certain
areas which are reserved and which are
known as the crown lands. These have
been intrusted to a settlement board for
future distribution among Canadian
soldiers. AS many as 100 acres are to
be bestowed upon each soldier In ad-
dition. he can borrow from the govern
ment $4,000, which he will be required
to use In equipping his farm and con-
structing his home The government
loan will constitute the first mortgage
on his property. The rate of interest
will be per cent and fifteen years is
allowed in which to repay the money.
There is condition controlling i'm
mediate possession, however The SOL
der must prove that prior to the war
he had sufficient farming experience to
render him entirely capable of engaging
In his new task. Others not qualified to
manage their own farms can either
serve as farm hands to experienced
farmers until they are competent to
take up land for themselves. or can
spend their probation period on a DEM
onstration farm similar to those being
established by Great Britain. Provision
is also made for the widows of sailors
and soldiers. These women can take up
government land under the same condi-
tions.
In France the problem presented by
the rehabilitation of her men is far
less difficult than that confronting most
of the other powers. This is because
the majority of Frenchmen are land
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