The Red Cloud chief., 1919-09-11
To the Returned Soldiers
Washington. ID. G.

In view of the large number of in
quiries hat | have received from re-
turned soldiers, sailors and marines
residing in your locality, relative to
the provisions made by the govern
ment for rural homes or other home
stead privileges for them, l am send
ing you a summary of the proposed
schemes intended to accomplish that
result.
The Mondell Bill (H. II. 487) is a
bill intended to provide employment
and rural homes for those who took
part in the military or naval SER
vice during the recent war, by an ap-
preparation of S500,00O,000 to be
used by the Secretary of the Interior
in the acquisition and development
of tracts of land in each of the sew
eral states, to be sold on contract to
approved applicants, for five per
cent of the purchase price down and
the balance to be carried back for a
period of time not exceeding forty
years, at four per cent interest, pay
able annually. The bill also author
ICES a loan, not to exceed $1,000 for
improvements and $1,000 for the pur-
chase of live stock and equipment.
The loans are payable in five years
and bear four per cent interest, pay
able annually.
This bill was referred to the House
Committee on Public Lands and re-
ported back for passage. The report
of the committee contains the fol-
lowing summary of substitute plans
that have been proposed:
IA bonus for all soldiers
This has been proposed in three diff
ferent forms: GAY Three hundred
dollars for each enlisted man, which
would require a total appropriation
of 81, 100000, 900; (b) A bonus of
$25 per month for each month in the
service which would amount to about
the same total if the average length
of service was one year; (c) A bonus
of $4,000 for each soldier, which
would call for $780, ZOO, 00O, 600.
2.-Individual farm loans.-These
have been proposed for various
amounts and purposes, but all on the
basis of the "infiltration plan," a
term now commonly used to describe
the method of individual settlement
on scattered farms, as distinguished
from the plan of community settle
ment. II has been proposed: (a) That
a flat sum of $4,000 be offered to
each soldier for the purchase of an
approved farm wherever he may Sc
lect it, such advance to be made up
on the basis of 100 per cent of the
value, at A per cent interest, pay
able in 40 years. If all soldiers ac-
copied the offer, it would call for an
appropriation of $4,000, 100000; (b)
the same proposition with a maxi
mum loan of $4,000, which would
call for $4,000, 100000 if accepted
by all; (c) the same proposition eX-
tended to cover advances for neces-
sary improvements, live stock and
equipment; I'D the same proposition
except that the loan shall he elastic
in amount, ranging down to 80 pei
cent of value.
"3.-Loans for city or country
homes.-That every man returned
from the colors be offered a loan OF
$4,000 at a low rate Of interest "a
per cent suggested), payable over 4C
years. time, provided he invest the
money either in a farm or in acquir'
ing a home in city OF town. Assuming
the unanimous acceptance of thi:
proposition, it would call for So,
000, 000, 900.
"4.-Loans for all lines of bust
ness.-That soldiers desiring to en-
gage in any line of business be pro
vided with loans of various amounts
ranging up to 100 per cent of the
necessary capital. 1t is impossible t.
estimate the appropriation tina
would be required, but the idea !!
for the Nation to supply the finan
cial backing for every soldier wh'
desires to engage in trade, industry
or profession, of whatever nature.
"5.-Advancing money to tn
states.-That $500, 10000 be appor
toned among the several states Q,
the basis Of the number of men sup
piled to the %colors, and that tn
states be permitted to use the none,
in any way they consider best for tn
soldiers welfare. The same sugges
ton was made IN the basis Of
larger but indefinite appropriation.
"6.-Leave it to private capital
That the matter be left entirely I
private capital to finance, with help
full cooperation IN the part of tn
Government in safeguarding . an
propositions for investors and set
tiers"