Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1919-01-17

sage delivered to the Wisconsin leg
islature at a joint session of the SEN
ate and assembly reads in part as fol
lows:
The Legislature of 1917 was con-
fronted with the problems of the war.
How to raise men and money and at
the same time carry on the industries
and expand agriculture, in order to
increase the food production, and the
numerous other activities that needed
to be carried on that Wisconsin might
do her full share in the great world
war, were problems that confronted
us at that time.
am happy to be able to report that
the people of this commonwealth met
every demand made upon them by the
federal government completely, prompt
ly and with enthusiasm That this
state has made reputation for patri-
otto cooperation in support of our
government and the sOldierly Qutli-
ties of the men that we furnished for
the army and navy that is second to
no state in the Union, is now general
ly admitted.
The splendid service rendered by
Wisconsin men to whom was given
the privilege to enter the field of OPP
erations is matter of public knowi-
edge and has been widely commented
upon by the pres sof the country. The
three companies that were taken from
the National Guard and placed in the
Rainbow Division, and the National
Guard which is part of the 32nd Divi-
sion took part in some of the hardest
fought battles of 1918. Their praise
comes to US from the American and
French Generals who commanded
them, and their work will constitute
one Of the brilliant pages of history
of the great world war. have full
faith in the patriotic spirit of our
young manhood and it it had been the
privilege of the entire force of Wis
consin men to meet the enemy on the
field of battle am sure that they too
would have proven their soldierly
qualities and would have given a
splendid account of themselves.
ask you to pass resolutions recog-
nizing the services rendered by our
Wisconsin soldiers and our civilian
population, laying particular stress
upon the valor Of our soldiers and the
patriotism of our people, in order that
the splendid work which has been &C
complished will be made a permanent
record and placed in the archives Of
this state for the information of future
generations.
Reconstruction.
The question of what should be done
for the returning soldier is being
widely discussed by the press and
public men of the country. For those
who have been wounded or otherwise
disabled the course to be pursued is
quite clear. They will need to be re-
tanned in the hospitals and receive the
attention of doctors and nurses until
they have recovered, or at least as
nearly so as medical skill can ac-
complish their recovery
It has been suggested by the Secre-
tary of the Interior that the able-bod-
led men who are now being discharged
be given an opportunity to secure land
and engage in farming. / agree with
the Honorable Secretary that it would
be very desirable from the standpoint
of the soldier and the state if such an
opportunity were given to returning
soldiers who desire it.
1t has been suggested that the state
lands be opened to homesteads for
this purpose. It will, however, be i'm
possible TO adopt this suggestion for
the reason that practically all of the
so-called state lands are merely held
In trust for the benefit of the various
school funds and must, therefore. be
sold to the highest bidder in the inter
est of the fund to which the land be-
longs. All this land that is good for
agricultural purposes could be pur-
chased, as no doubt could the cutover
lands owned by private parties. The
state will, however, be unable to do
this for the reason that there is con-
stitutional prohibition against the
contracting of debts by the state ex-
cept for war purposes, to suppress IN
surrection and repel invasion.
/ have suggested to the Secretary OF
the Interior that the lands be purchas-
ed by the United States Government
and that in addition to the land there
be advanced to each soldier who de-
sires to engage in farming sufficient
sum of money to enable him to clear
at least forty acres and erect the nee
essary buildings and purchase the live
stock that he requires, the govern
ment to own the land and other prop
erty and give the soldier reasonable
time to earn the money to pay MS IN
debtedness to the government.
In my judgment the most difficult
rrohlem of reconstruction is to bring
all prices down to normal basis.
There is an abundance Of work IN
sight for all for years to come. Public
and private building has been delayed
and railroads require the expenditure
Of vast sums of money in betterments
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