The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1918-11-13
Editorial and Magazine Page of

II ElNI ~ IL E, the only tangible plan or ,uggcS-
II tuou that has been put before the nation for
caring for large numbers of discharged sol
oilers. the plan ot Secretary of the Interior Lane,
outlined in ms letter to the president on MAY ~ Of
this year, is worth memorizing and understanding
thoroughly, at least by every man and woman who
], thinking seriously about this national duty aud
about New Mexico part in il. The Ian" outline
was written and presented 10 the president and
through the latter to the nation At a time when we
believed the war would go on for another year at
least, generally u was expected 10 continue for two
more years. We didn't know then how nearly we
had the kaiser licked. II we had understood just
how near wc were to the end of the slaughter we
might have spcedcd up our af'cr-war planning, both
N Washington and in New Mexico.
Secretary Lane urged action along the lines
he suggested, and with mighty little encourage
mcnt from any other branch of the administration
he has succeeded in getting some action and some
highly valuable preparatory data on which TO base
actual operations. And because his letter 10 the
president ou the subject Of after-war land develop.
Iuent contains the only definite plan that has been
put forward. the Lane plan Is certain 10 be the
starting point from winch will be worked ont what.
ever Legislation Is finally enacted. That we will
have land development as the foundation stone on
which To build much Of the after-war structure Is
taken for granted. II is the ,urcst, the safest and
the most practical way out.
Because il j, certain to Ice more and more be-.
Gore the people. especially of the west, and of New
Mexico during the coming years OF reconstruction
we are printing Secretary Lanes letter in this pa
per today, with the suggestion that every New
Mexico citizen who is Interested IN the welfare 81
our state, in his own welfare and in the matter ui
serving the nation in caring for our returned sol
dlcr,. cut tina; letter ont and put II in q convenient
file or scrap book. for il will be needed later.
just as the reclamation service and the geolOp-
zeal survey have been feeling the way and
gathering data with a view to Workiug out a great
national land DEVELOPMENT plan, 50 some of the more
aggressive western states have been working NJ the
national problem generally and their individual
state problems concrctcly and definitely None of
our states has gone a. far as has the Canadian gov
eminent which during the past three years hos rN-
pended 100000 m advertising and has shipped tons
upon toms Of printed matter 10 soldiers of England.
OF France. OF Italy. and more recently to our own
soldiers. tending 90 prove the value and the uppur-
tuuity oI settlement con raw land Ia western Canada
and the benevolent assistance afforded by the
Canadian plan of farm and Stock-turm financing
and aid in equipment.
Canada. in ruru. ha, not gone o., far a, has
Australia u tur way of direct aid ia preparing land
Both have worked out plars that are not over patcr.
vino wishes TO establish himself rs a food producer
cam safely enlist.
California has been rho most aggressive OF our
western states, with lis Land development associa-
tlon, which IN taking land belonging 10 the state;
and when necessary, buying it from private inter-
cstS. improving the land. At least partially equip
ping it and putting it in condition so that the farm
cr when ne goes on the land can count on an immc-