The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1918-09-07
PLANNING TO PROVIDE
FOR RETURNING SOLDIERS

d.
some enclosures together with let
ter from Secretary OF Interior Lane
regarding the plan for creating
homes for returning soldiers. This
matter was started in this state In
connection with the reclamation OF
arid lands. It has gained such pro-
portions now, that II covers a big
question and a great area. It is not
to be confined to the reclamation of
arid lands but also to swamps. log
ged-off lands.
The Information sent us in part
reads.
Secretary Lane presented to the
President and to Congress recently
a comprehenivse plan for a prellmin-
ary study of the unused lands OF the
country, with particuler reference to
the irrigation of some $1,000, 900
acres OF arid land. the drainage of
between 70,0O0,0O0 and $4,000 900
acres of swamp land and the clearing
Of approximately 200,000,000 acres
of cut-over or logged-off land, with
the purpose In view of reclaiming
these lands through governmental
agency and providing homes for re-
turned soldiers.
My Dear Mr.. Sherley:
| wish to express my appreciation
of the action of your committee In
appropriating 100000 for the pre-
liminary study OF teh unused lands
OF the country with the purpose In
view OF providing homes for return
sd soldiers. Since your action the
President has approved reccommen-
datlon for an appropriation OF 81.
900, 900 to be used In the same work.
am proceeding to organize this
work in the hope that the larger
amount will be available soon after
the new session of Congress opens.
In this connection | submit brief
outline OF the efforts made In other
countries along somewhat similar
lines.
This outline of the plans of other
nations for their returning soldiers
indicates that much thought and
work has been given in these coun-
tries toward the solution of this prob
lem. or course | realize that these
tions and conduct of each particular
policies are made to tit the condl-
part, whether It be nation or state.
And do not mean to imply that we
can model our plans or rpolicies
along those lines. But | do believe
that this knowledge points out one
lesson that has much good In II. That
is this, that the preparation OF plans
tor providing opportunity for our re-
turning soldiers can not be left to
the day when the war is over.
Cordially yours.
Franklin X. Lanf. |
Hon. Swagar Sherley.
Chairman, Committee on Appro-
priation,
House of Representatives.
Included with his letter are num-
Der of comments from the several |
countries now at war, showing steps
taken to make homes for returning
Among them are:
CANADA-With reference to the
Dominion lands. the reserved areas
tknown as Crown lands) are placed
In the hands OF Settlement Board,
which consists of three members. A
'ree grant OF one hundred and sixty
acres is made to the returning sol
iier, and the Board is empowered to
grant a loan of not exceeding So,
100 to each man, to be spent I'm erec-
Ing a house, purchasing implements
md stock, and generally In prepar-
ng the land. This loan will be q
'irst mortgage on the homestead.
{ will be advanced at low rate of
interest Give per cent?, aud will
ih'c w bb Itpdl ulh llllttH ytuTS
Applicants for land or loans must
lave had previous farming exper-
ence. Intending settlers among re-
urning soldiers without previous
arming experience can so upon dem
farms for training, If
hey elect, however, they may go up
IN farms OF selected and approved
'ither case employment at current
wages will be paid. "The classes en-
tiled to participate" says the Re-
,ort OF Lord Tennyson's Committee,
include honorably discharged ex-
ervice men from the forces of Can
ida, the United Kingdom, and any
If the self-governing British Domin-
ons. and to the widows OF soldiers
md sailors from other parts OF the
Empire whose husbands died while
m act I've aaryica