The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-01-16

MdUlSOnt NlSs--G Wv 1 hAAAPb AAN"
sage delivered TO the Wisconsin leg
islature at 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 ana 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
10 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
" and with enthusiasm. That this
state has made reputation Tor patrl-
otto cooperation in support OF our
government and the soldierly quill
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 op-
erations is a matter of public knowl-
edge and has been widely commented
upon by the pres sOt 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 DIVE
sion took part in some of the hardest
fought battles of 1913. 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 If 1t 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 ac-
compHshed 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 &C
complish their recovery.
II 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 II 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,
It 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 cutovef
lands owned by private parties The
state will, however, be unable 10 do
this for the reason that there is a con
stituuonal prohibition against the
contracting Of debts by the state eX
cept for war purposes, to suppress in
surrccuon and repel invasion.
have suggested TO the Secretary OF
the interior that the lands be pulchas.
eli by the United States Government
and that in addition 10 the land there
b. advanced 10 each soldier who de
gires to engage in farming a sufficient
sum of money to enable him to clear
al least forty acres and erect the nee.
essary buildings and purchase the live
stock that he requires the govern
men, 10 own the land and other prop.
erty and give the soldier reasonable
time 10 earn the money 10 pay his IN
dcbtodnoss 10 the government
In my judgment the most difficult
problem Of reconstruction Is TO bring
all prices down TO a 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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Just a Greeting