The Washington herald., 1918-01-04
Along the Right Line.

1t Is reported that Senate committee has
been appointed to inquire into the practicalities OF
a back-to-the-land movement A bill has already
been offered along this line aimed at the problem
particularly as it affects soldiers and their depend
ents.
This sort OF agitation is along the right line.
However. predict that one of the first "prac-
ticalities" that that Senate committee is going
up against will be a question of cold cash.
There is still considerable unused land in the
United States, but for the most part it is unim-
proved Every farmer knows that in the improve
meut OF land prime requisite is, if not a great
deal, then certain amount OF working capital
From what understand of the present army pay
bill even with savings at maximum, the re-
turned soldier will hardly be fitted for flying
start at the farming business.
The army pay schedule as it now stands while
still the most liberal in the world. is in many
ways relic of our past years OF unpreparedness,
IL does not match up with the chances that the
same man who goes into the army would have in
ordinary industrial life
The government, in seeking recruits or drafting
men into the service. is at present placed in the
position Of counting these mems war-inspired
patr7tsm In peace times, the government has
nothing to offer the industrially efficient man
ambitious youth. For, while men are willing and
eager to make any kind of personal sacrifice even
TO the sacrifice of life itself, feeling that their
country needs them, when that need is not so
dramatically apparent they will, conceivably not
be so willing to give their time forego their
other opportunities for the sake of S33 month
This. war will teach many things. 1t has
already taught most of thing: that this
country, representing democracy, never again
afford TO be found unprepared for any and all
eveutualities. We have got to be strong always
for our own sake, and for the sake of the rest
of the world.
This IS going to that we will have to
have and maintain a well-equipped and WELL
trained large army, in peace times so that
will be ready for war times when war times
come. Although just account of our adequate
preparedness, the next will probably be a
long time in coming.
To do all this-to maintain as big and efficient
q peace times and times army as we could
easily afford to-our military service of the future
will have to be democratic and popular service
To be democratic 1t has got to be popular, and it
has got to be popular not only with the Hun at
our gates. but with the Hun very much in the
background 1t is not fighting alone that our
young will have to go in for, but drilling and
getting ready to fight
If our young OF the future are going to
spend year two OF their lives in training
some system has got to be evolved whereby they
will not be forced to count that year two years
time lost to them in their civilian capacities 1t
viii be to interests nation to see to it
that every young man who goes into the army is
better man, comfortably situated citizen
and more efficient industrial unit when he comes
out than he was when he went in. or than he
would have been If he had not gone in
There dozen ways of dealing with this
Situation. The baek-to-the-land people have sug-
gested one way. Others have suggested an out
snd-out raise in the soldiers pay so that on his
,iisehzrpe he might live uDon his savings while
learning a trade Finding HIMSELF in trade
already learned. Secretary Daniels in what he