The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-30
SOLDIERS LAND BILL
CALLED HUGE GRAB
Nichols Says Mondell Measure
Has Patriotic Title to Aid
Unworthy Scheme.
SEES BIG C0MPANY's HAND
Press Agent Said to Be Boom
ing 100000, 900 Outlay to
Benefit Only 100000.
se.c,ar p,,ra,eA 70 tn, sux.

Bpect1 Despdfch 70 THb Dun
WARRINGTON, June 2s.-An attack on
the soldiers farm land bill Of Repre-
sentative Mondeii (wyo.). Republican
floor leader in the House. was launched
o-day by Representative Nichols (Mich)
In q statement which he made public.
Hearings on the measure were completed
recently by tho Public Lands Committee
Of the House and a favorable report
was ordered. although opposition to the
bill developed during the hearings. In
some quarters the assertion was made
to-day that the measure may cause
Tight in the Republican representation IN
the House, the East lining UP against
the West. The statement Of Repre-
sentative Nichols follows:
"In the name of the soldier an at
tempt 10 now being made to have Con-
gross enact the most gigantic land rec
lamation laws probably proposed in any
country in the world
THE preliminary appropriation II pro-
poses to authorize ID the staggering sum
Of $500, 100000. Such a colossal scheme
to develop the swamp. arid and cut over
lands would never wen have received
serious consideration had not the patri-
otic impulses of q grateful people been
appealed to by giving title to the
measure indicating that It was designed
primarily az an aid to tho soldiers 70
own rural homes.
'Tn the name Of tho soldier, but
strangely enough paid and employed by
. private land corporation. a profess
sional publicity agent has been at work
In Warrington for weeks attending
regularly the meetings Of the Public
Lands Committee of the House and
sending broadcast throughout the coun-
try propaganda showing what won
derful opportunity will be given the re-
turned soldier. In the name OF the SOL
der many other influences have been
brought to bear on persons concerned
with this legislation that could easily
be traced to private interests.
Small Percentage to Beneht.
with the United States facing a ma
tional debt almost beyond the imagina-
ton. with the people Of the country bur-
dened with taxation, we are invited to
appropriate $500, 100000 as starter for
a so-called soldiers aid plan that 1t q
admitted cannot possibly take care OF
more than approximately 100000 of tie
100000 men who participated in the
recent war.
But. 1t is pointed out by many per-
sons favoring the bill. that Congress
will undoubtedly DO called upon for ad-
ditional appropriations from time to time
for the purpose Of extending the opera
tons of tho scheme And 30 at the rate
OF $500, 600 for every 100000 SOL
diers It is proposed gloriously to re-
claim all the idle lands Of the country
But let US see what IL will do for
the soldier. In the FIRST place. 1t will be
necessary for the soldier TO have about
81, 200 In order that he may make an
initial payment on the farm. improve
nents and stock. Personally I cannot
imagine a soldier with that amount of
money In cash paying It out for the par
pose OF going on q farm settlement stu
ated either In the swamp land of the
South or the immense arid lands of the
West.
But IL the soldier IL without money.
as he In all probability will be, he will
receive employment from the Govern
ment and will be paid perhaps 81 a day.
BY ceaseless toll and unremltting labor.
by the exercise OF prudence and by sac
rifice, he Is expected to be able TO save
enough in from three to five years TO
pay this $1,000 the Government will re-
quire as an initial payment.
After he has developed these lands
and reclaimed the country by these
methods he will be permitted to pay the
Government for the farm he Is allowed
to settle on and which he has reclaimed
by his own labor
why pin this great land retaining
scheme on the soldier7 II this appro-
priation OF $500. 900. 900 Is authorized to
take care OF or to aid 100, 900 soldiers it
is quite apparent that there will be
nothing doing for the millions Of boys
who will see no advantage for them in
this proposal"