The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1918-05-25

After several years OF army life,
amid new countries and new scenes,
facing death In It's many horrible
forms and undergoing the most
nervewrecklng and physical hard
ships, large majority OF our boys
repose of rural life. Many men
highly skilled In various trades and
accustomed TO hard work, will not be
able TO return to their former oc-
cupations because OF the change OF
view point which the tolls and hard
ships of war has brought about.
As an economic and ay a patriotic
policy. solution OF this problem,
which will be upon us as nation
within few weeks following the
first great battle In which our sol
diers engage, should be worked out
and put into effect.
After the Civil War. the situation
serious then but not comparable to
the magnitude OF the one confronting
this country now, was taken care OF
by the settlement OF public lands by
means OF the soldiers homestead
This policy can not be renewed for
the reason that practically all OF the
good land upon which a man can
make living has been taken up.
II would be crime TO place the
returned soldier out upon the large
portion OF the lands that are yet the
public domain.
We spend many billions of dollars
IN the purchase OF cannon and am.
munition and in building barracks
and clothing, all of which Will be
worn out or destroyed during the
course OF the war. Would II not be
good economy TO spend only one OF
these many billions OF dollars In TAX
Ing care OF our boys when they get
back or In giving them an opportun-
ity to start life anew when their
struggle Is over.
My suggestion Is that there be set
aside In each of the Western States.
one million acres OF land. That the
United States build the necessary
irrigation systems 10 properly irri-
gate this land and clear II ready for
use and occupancy. That In such re-
clamation they expend IN the neigh
hood OF $4,000 per acre making a
total of about half billion dollars
and that another half billion be set
aside TO loan to these men for the
purchase OF farm equipment and
stock That they be allowed the use
OF this money for twenty five years
without interest. the whole to be paid
back at approximately the end OF that
period OF time. The land to be dlvid-
ed Into forty acre tracts and sold to
men who were going to actually live
upon the land. All OF the interned
enemies could be put to work IN the
Improvement OF the land and the
building OF the necessary works and
the returned disabled soldiers put In
charge OF the construction camps.
There are immense areas OF land In
each OF the western states that by the
application OF water could be made
yeritable garden spots but which |
without water are desert wastes |
such colonization would only de |
Nelop aud enrich the west but would |
be an application OF the graft |
tude Of thankful nation 10 th, |
heroes who are eacriliclng their al |
unon the altar Of our country.
u this vian can be carried TO sue I
aessluI frution the West viii be peo-
pied by the very best blood OF our
gstion aud multitude OF returned /
heroes and their posterity for time to
cove will be comforted, cheered and
made TO realize that the people al
iome are In part as unselfish and
generous as the noble men who have
already and are still giving their OPP
and lives to "our coun-
-ry"--yours and mine.
Oregon has been first In every en-
leavor for the prosecution of this
war. Let us all help TO make Ore
5on first In the Relation OF a crate
'ul nation of the debt we owe our
heroes.
YOurR very truly II