Evening star., 1919-05-11
FARMS FOR SOLDIERS
DEMANDED BY NATION
Lane Plan Wins Such Universal Support That
Early Action by Congress Now'
Seems Assured.

pTOV1QeQ against. the secretary Sald.
The question is a legal one but there
Is no doubt but that provision
could be Incorporated in lease or deed
prohibiting the disposal Of the indi-
vidual farms to any individual already
holding certain amount of real es-
tate in that county or state. Another
method Of solving the same problem
would be to have the government get
the first right of purchase in the event
the holder desires to dispose of his
property"
Evidence that the plan has largely
increased state pride is in the hands
Of the Department of the Interior.
Agencies everywhere are collecting
data as to opportunities for estab-
fishing soldier colonies, lands are be-
ing offered, options submitted and
throughout the length and breadth
of the nation an enthusiastic and pa
triotic sentiment in favor of the meas
ure is growing. When the plan for
providing employment and farms for
fighting men was first proposed grave
doubt was expressed by many as to
the soldiers acceptance Of It. That
such misgiving was not well founded
has been demonstrated conclusively
by the men themselves. according TO
department officials. Notwithstanding
the obstacles which render it impos-
sible to make the plan known to more
than fraction Of the men in camps
ot oN<1
10000 soldiers. sailors and marines
have filed written applications for
farms and have signifled their inten-
tion of accepting work to develop the
land. Probably 10000 of them have
not yet heard of it. More than 10000
personal letters have been received
from men in uniform expressing the
hope that the nation would provide
this opportunity for those who will
seek farming as a livelihood
Other Nations Are Cited.
Many Of these letters call attention
to what other nations are doing for
their fighters and ask If our own 10
going to ignore its duty. In many.
reference is made to what Canada 10
offering not only to her own boys. but
| also to those of all nations whose
| cause in the fight was the same as
our own. Fathers and mothers are
writing to the department asking con-
sideration for sons across the sea or
in camps here.
1 80
none which has had more beneficial
influence on the general morale has
been brought to the camps than the
proposed plan to offer the men when
discharged an opportunity to go to
work and earn a farm" said a promi-
mont official Of the national war coun-
oil recently.
What Secretary Lane proposes to do
for the men who have worn the uni.
form OF the country is not a venture
into an unknown and untried field.
Operating under similar plans. the
Australian government for several
years has been successfully engaged
in establishing prosperous farm set
Elements in the development of which
mllllOnS OIL QOlldIS Ol pubic lunua
are invested. Special and liberal ap-
propriations have been made in or
der to provide the same opportunities
for returning soldiers. Recently the
state Of California launched a CO.
operative farm colony, tho success of
which is so pronounced that the legis-
lature has appropriated ,1.ooo.o 900 and
authorised a bond issue for 10000
900 additional for other colonies. The.
most potent factor in Denmark's mar
velous agricultural development was
the cooperative community organ
ization.
EARLY Legislation Expected.
With such proofs Of the entire prac-
ticability and solvency Of the plan.
with the unquestioned demand for its
early initiation by thousands of men.
together with the need for employ
ment and increased food supply. 1t Is
believed by the Interior Department
that favorable action on the partto
Congress cannot be delayed.