The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-17
SOLDIER-SETTLEMENT PLANS.

Washington, D. c.. March 15.---Al-
though congress adjourned without
bringing to a vote the proposed leg
isiatton which. If enacted into law,
would have made ii possible for the
Department of the Interior TO begin
work Immediately on the construc
tion of soldier settlements and provide
work and homes for thousands of our
returned soldiers, sailors and ma
rines on reclaimed land, the fact tina.
the bin was favorably reported in
both the house and senate. and the
nationwide approval of the plan as
evidenced by the hundreds of letters
of endorsement received daily at the
department, have led Secretary Lane
to take the stand that there is every
reason to believe that a similar bin
will be favorably considered at the
coming special session of congress.
He Ia accordingly continuing the pre-
liminary work of investigation as far
as the limited funds at his disposal
win permit. and is also endeavoring
to ascertain for the information of
congress the attitude toward the plan
of as many men in the services as he
is able to reach through the distribu-
ton of missionaries at the various
camps and naval stations throughout
the country.
Secretary Lane In In thorough &C
cord with Congressman Taylor, OF
Colorado, the author of the bill in
troduced at the last session OF con-
gress for putting the soldier settle
ment plan into effect. who said:
j can only say TO the house and
to the country. and 10 the many thou
sands of our splendid boys who will
be sorely disappointed by this failure
of the house to pass this bill or act
upon this subject, that j will rein
troduce the bin on the opening day
of the next session of congress ant
push the measure with all the energy
] possess. and I sincerely hope anf
believe that it will he speedily en-
acted into law. And ] also hope tina
, instead of the appropriation being fol
800. 600. 900, ii may be five times tina
amount, because even then we vii
not, in proportion to our wealth anc
! resources. be doing nearly as much
| for our returning soldiers as Is beint
! done by Canada, Australia and al
| other English-speaking countries.
am not only confident that this meas
ure will be adopted, but I firmly be
J lieve 1t will go down in history as ont
! of the great constructive policies o
our country"
Many Of the state legislatures hav'
not met recently, but large humble
| OF the states have already taken &C
| ton by appropriate legislation or b
! the appointment OF committees to co
| operate with the Federal govcrnm en-
In connection with the soldier settle
ment plan or the department. TIL
action so far reported to the depart
| ment is summarized in the following
| tatement:
Lab 1rY,n ffnr a
ment has become law and the leg
| islature has passed memorial urg
| ing the state delegation in congress
| TO do everything possible to secur'
| the enactment of Federal law. 4
| committee working under the Post
! War Council of Defense, consisting o
/ six state officials and three others
are officially in charge of the matter
Arizona.-An appropriate bill 70
cooperation with the United State
! has been introduced,
! Arkansas Brough ha
appointed a committee of eleven. with
himse II as ex-officio member. to rpro
sent the state, and has wired Presi
dent Wilson urging his active supper
of the congressional legislation.
Joint resolution has been passed b,
the legislature urging the Arkansa1
congressional delegation to do every
thing possible for Federal legislation
California.--The Breed bill was in
troduced January 81 for referendum
to the people OF the state to carry ,
also a $4,000 Appropriation. An
other bill has been introduced b!
Senator Breed. permitting co-opera
| ton with the United States and carry
| ing a direct appropriation OF $1,000,
900. The legislature passed toin
| resolution urging the adoption b.
congress of soldier settlement legis
! lation.
Colorado.-A bill has been intro
duced carrying an appropriation o
$3.50. goo for soldier settlements II
| CO. operation with the Federal gov
eminent, A resolution endorsing tn
| soldier settlement legislation befor
congress was adopted by both houses
F'iorida--A bill has been enacted
authorizing the Internal improvement
p, Board to use state lands for soldie
1 settlement and to cooperate with tn
I United states.
+ Idaho The Legislature has passe'
a bin carrying an appropriation o
100000 for soldier settlements,
| Illinois--A bill has been Introduce,
! carrying an appropriation OF 1890.
| 600.
| observation-disclosures Stanley, nov
senator-elect. has appointed5a soldiers
, land settlement committee composed o
DR.. Franklin T.. McVey. president o
the University OF Kentucky. chairman
| Harvey Chenault. of Richmond. Ows
ley Brown. % Louisville: w. A. Wick
/ less OF Granville; and w. +. Brad
shaw, OF paducah. to represent thu
state In cooperative work, the legis
Dature not being In session.
Louisiana--Governo Pleasant ha
wired President Wilson asking his ac
tive support of congressional legisla
ton, and has appointed committee o.
five to represent the state.
Maine-The governors message Il
the legislature urges cooperation with
the Unified States In soldier settlement
Maryland The Legislature is not IN
session, but the agricultural committee
Of the state council Of defense,is act
state