Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-06-17
Georgia Farms for Soldiers

~ EORGIA'S interest in the Mondell bill,
embodying Secretary Lanes plan of
farm colonies for returned soldiers,
is becoming continually wider, keener and
more definite. This was manifest in the re-
cent conference, in Atlanta, of the executive
members of the Southern Settlement and
Development Association. These close OBJ
servers, whose organized efforts are devoted
to exploiting the rich resources OF the coastal
plan which stretches from Virginia around to
Texas, were particularly impressed with
Georgia's adaptability to the idea OF the Mon
dell bill and with her peoples responsiveness
to it's aims. There should be no difficulty,
these students of the situation believe in Sc
curing from the session Of the General AS
sembly soon to convene such legislation as
will put this State in, position to share in the
apportionment of the half billion dollars
which the proposed measure carries.
Especially effective work to this end is be-
ing done by the Georgia Landowners ASSo-
citation. 1t is the matured judgment OF the
leaders of that substantial and progressive
body that with harmonious action between
the Legislature and the Government, this
State can provide suitable projects for a
large number. if not all, of Georgia's service
men who may desire to farm, and also for
men from other States who may be interest
ed, AS to the resources available for these
soldier-farmers:
''In every coastal plain county where
lands have been offered, adequate facil-
tiles are already at hand to carry farm
products to present markets; that land
clearing here is both quick and cheap;
that drainage on by far the greater per-
centage of the land is comparatively
quick, easy and cheap; that while schools
are not yet what they should be they are
rapidly improving and there is an active
public sentiment which assures at
early date Statewide local tax and a
State highway law; that the tSate has
enacted stringent tick eradication law
which opens the way to a profitable cat
tie industry; that the State already
ranks fourth among the States in hog
production; that five local packing plants
distributed through the State provide
ample live stock market, and that the
adaptability of the soil to the raising of
peanuts, sweet potatoes, velvet beans
and corn, the long-growing seasons the
cheapness of buildings for the protection
of stock against bad weather combine
to make the country particularly adapt
able to- live stock farming, which is COM
ing rapidly to the front"
With this wealth and diversity of opportu-
mites, all so admirably suited to the purposes
of the Mondell bill, Georgia can hardly fail
to share freely in the benefits of the meas
ure, provided the Legislature takes the proper
cooperative steps. How other States regard
the plan is indicated in the fact that thirty
eight of them have already expressed their
purpose to work with the Federal authorities
in making it a success, whilst some of them
have proposed large bond issues of their own
in it's behalf. AS matter both of patriotism
and of self-interest Georgia should Join
fundamentally in this constructive move
ment The resultant impetus to her prosperity
will be invaluable, and at the same time she
will be serving we'll those sons who served
| their country heroically.