The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-08-29
c. 0. O.P.FA|LS TO
HELP SOLDIERS,
FERRIS ASSERTS
Colonization Plan in MOndeII
Bill Falls Short,

WASHINGTON, Aug. D.--Failure
OF the republican congress to enact
any legislation providing substantial
aid for discharged soldiers was the
subject of criticism by Representative
Scott Ferris of Oklahoma, chairman
OF the democratic congressional com
mittee and ranking democratic mem-
bcr Of the house committee on public
lands. in statement made today
[ Mondell Bill Criticized.
} Mr. Ferris was particularly critical
TOT the so-called Mondell bill because,
las i, IS now drawn, in his opinion, 1t
Twill provide aid for only . compar-
latiyely small number OF Srvlce men,
(only those willing to enter into the
lcoloniiation scheme the Mondell
tmeasure is intended TO foster. and
THUS makes no provision for soldiers
I'm states where such colonization Is
'not feasible to acquire . home or
iarm.
( An alternative plan should be in.
c,uded in the bill. IN the opinion o'
minority members OF the committee, so
that every soldier who need, or de-
sire, governmental aid in acquiring q
nome may obtain IT,
I Soldiers Not Helped.
Z "The American people at the No
lvenbet election entrusted the repub-
Eican part with full control OF both
branches of congress. They have been
Fin session for three months. They
have sgnally failed TO pass any legr'-
la,ion beneficial to the four million
discharged soldiers" said Mr. Ferris
who was chairman of the public lands
committee in the last house.
"The house public land, committee
has had hearings on the Mondell bill
and has reported it to the house. he
bill in its present form i, not sui
iicien,ly wide in scope 20 benefit the
MAJOR portion OF the soldiers desiring
and deserving relief.
The bill should contain 4 provision
that all money appropriated for homes
for soldiers should be equitably ap-
portioncd among the states according
10 the number OF soldiers making ap-
plication and desirous OF ayaillnS
themselves Of home under II. The
bill a. i, now stands does not do this
Little Benefit In II.
} "Thc Nondell bill as il now stands
/. soldiers colonization bill. My
con,cr;ion is that in states that are
we'll sett.d, with roads. schoolhouses
churches. towns, rural routes and al
modern facilities, the proposed plaI
is not a, all feasible. and will be dis
appointing to the administrative OF
{icer. as we'll as those VINO are tt
profit under II.
AN alternative plan should certain
" be added 10 the bill, authorizing th'
fsecre,ary OF the interior. when the sol
der plan is not feasible in any gve'
state. or in q given section OF th'
country. to make loans direct 20 in
diyidual former service men who de
sire to purchase homes in commuu
i,ies where they may wish TO locate
This OF course, would add TO the dlt
ficu,ics OF administration; it wouI'
widen the scope OF the bill, but !
would make il at all tir,es perfectl
certain that there was some relief 4
be offered the soldier who was un
= willing to 20 out TO the sparsely set
tied states Of the west or the cut-oye
lands OF the south that he might hav
within reach some relief IN the &C
quirement Of . home.
Democratic members Of me com
mi,tee contend that without this alter
native, disappointment will result
Representative Ferris pointed out tina
in sections Of the country where Ian
ranges in price from $50 to $3.50 pc
a,ne. plus the changes OF administra
tion which the soldier will have I
pay, he colonization plan will not b
a success.
"Yet am hopeful that the goo
things in this bill may he preserve
where susceptible OF operation. but
the same time am doubly anxior
that proper amendments be added
make !, acceptable and Of suffrier
scope to assure some aifirmati'
assistance and recognition 10 the so
diers who served their country durir
che time of greater stress
II van, to make il perfectly Gle;
that the Mondell bill Is not witho'
virtue. and doubtless will be OF gre'