Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-05-06
The Soldier and the Soil.

Secretary Lanes Wide-reaching and we'll
balanced plan of providing farms for soldiers
continues to grow in favor. This is quite
natural when one considers the diversity ans
the Importance OF the interests to which 1t
appeals AS the Sumter IS. c. Item points
out: "The Secretary contemplates purchas-
ing land in every part of the country, so that
he is entirely free from the suspicion Of re-
gionaI favoritism He has recognized the
crying necessity # providing rea- opportun1-
ties for the men returning from Europe. He
proposes turning to productiveness great
areas now unproductive because they are too
wet or too dry, or need clearing.
Either of these purposes should sufnce TO
commend the plan to Congress hearty in
dorsement; and with it's patriotism and utll-
ity combined, it assuredly cannot fail or ap-
proval. Of all proposals looking to the SOL
diers future welfare, no other mas oeen so
thoroughly plotted out and none is so far-
reaching and constructive. It's practical
thoroughness appears, for instance in the
provision that the soldier shall be furnished
not merely the land but also the first needful
buildings and equipment and that enough Oh
the land shall be broken "to enable him to
start his planting at once without the dis
couraging delays incident to most pioneer
farming"
All this is to be on the understanding that
s when the farm is brought up to producing
status the Government shall be repaid for
the initial equipment and preparation. Tn1S
is genuine helpfulness., 1t will enable every
soldier who is so minded to make substan-
tial start toward freedom and fortune IN the
most essential and most wholesome or IN
dustries Thousands of the men it is true
have no inclination to farming, II indeed they
have not positive aversion to it. For these
of course, other pursuits must be found. But
many thousands of them are keenly interested
in the project and will promptly avail them
selves of its opportunities if it is put into
operation.
;nIr 1ubo OF will
prosperity ana power l. an army of sturdy
warriors is converted into army OF ef1-
cient food producers. Think what it Will
mean to States ike Georgia IL vast acreages
of land now useless for lack OF drainage or
clearing are reclaimed and developed into fer
tile farms. It is not to be wondered that
upwards of thirty-two States, anticipating
favorable action by Congress, have taken
more or less definite steps to secure the
promised Federal aid for carrying forward
this splendid enterprise. At least Six States
Alabama Florida, Montana, Idaho, Wyo-
ming, Oregon--have gone in for extensive
preparations Montana, for example, proposes
to spend fifty thousand dollars in cooperation
with the National Government; Idaho one
hundred thousand; Wyoming, two hundred
thousand; whilst Oregon expects to vote on
three million dollar bond issue for the pur-
pose.
Georgia's Legislature, assume, will give
the matter merited attention at it's forth
coming session. NO region OF America lenus
itself more readily or more promisingly to
Secretary Lanes idea than does this State
with it's rich abundance of lands which by
proper drainage and development can be con-
verted into real Edens of productivity. Geor-
gia's influence should be joined with that of
other forward-thllking States in obtainin =,
favorable and speedy action from Congress
when the Interior Departments measure is
reintroduced; and plans of her own should
be devised with view to taking prompt ad-
vantage of the plan when it is put into &C
ton.
An English firm is threatening to manu-
facture $3.50 automobile; but there is this
comfort-the English won't invent jokes
that go with it.