The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-03-04
Wilson Backs
Lanes Scheme
President Recommends to Congress
Passage of Myers Bill to Pro-
vide Homes for Soldiers by
Providing Farms.

vide Homes for Soldiers by
Providing Farms.
The following story sent out from
Washington by the Boise Statesman
special correspondent, lends yer.
great encouragement to the promot
ers of the Snake River Plains irriga
ton project. With the influence o
President Wilson behind it, it seem!
possible that the measure now be
fore congress to provide funds fol
carrying out the program of Secrc
tary Lane may be passed at this SEES
sion, even though there ere only 3
few days left. If this measure passes
it is reasonably certain that onr pro-
! ject will be among the first to he in.
vestigated. The Statesman story fol,
lows: t. ..,..-
WASHINGTON.-President Wilson
Wednesday sent word to congress
that he intends to get behind the bill
appropriating 100000, 900 to reclaim
arid, swamp and cutover lands to
provide homes for discharged sol
diers and sailors.
When that announcement was re-
ceived the senate committee on pub
lie lands hurriedly reported the N.Y.
ers bill to senate and Senator N.Y.
ers will make an endeavor to have
the bill passed within the next few
days. He is confident of favorable
senate action but it is admitted at
the capitol that the main obstacle to
this legislation will arise in the
house. Whether or not the house
acts favorably, will depend, it is
conceded, on pressure brought to
bear by The president on that body.
Recognition for Soldiers.
The Myers bill, as reported, pro-
vides "tfat in recognition of the mil
itary services of those who have
served with the armed forces of the
United States and who have been
honorably discharged, including
former American citizens who served
in any of the armed forces of nations
armed against the central powers
and who have been repatriated, pro-
vision is hereby made for their en-
ployment and to furnish opportun-
ity for them to secure rural homes"
The bill. therefore, is being advanc-
ed for the dual purpose of furnish
ing employment as we'll as homes.
Power in Secretary's Hands.
The secretary of the interior is
authorized to acquire lands and to
provide for reclamation of public
and acquired lands Oy irrigation,
drainage or stump removal and he
may provide for levelling, fertiliza-
ton and sanitation and NAV build
necessary roads in connection with
any reclamation project. Further
more the secretary, out of the $780,
100000 fund is authorized to make
farm improvements and advance to
settlers short term loans for i'm
provements, stock and equipment.
The secretary is authorized to make
regulation for dividing and dispos-
ing of lands and to determine the
farm unit on each project and may
also by regulation, stipulate the am
cunt of residence and cultivation to
be required of entrymen.
The entire administration of law is
left to the secretary of interior and
is given the secretary to
with any state irrigation
or drainage district or municipal
where such cooperation
is deemed advisable.
Fix Payment Terms.
All moneys expended under this
act are reimbursable, the secretary
to determine and fix charges and
term OF payment which shall not ex-
tend over more than IS years, pay
ments to bear Az per cent interest.
Moneys paid in will go back into a
revolving fund to continue work. It
is provided that in making surveys
and in building reclamation pro-
jects soldiers and sailors shall be
given preference to employment.
Provide Jobs for 100000 in Sixty
Days After Passage.
A favorable report on the bill to
appropriate S100,0O0,00 to make re-
claimed public lands available for
by discharged soldiers
and sailors, was ordered Wednes-
lay by the senate public lands COM
nittee after secretary Lane had ap-
oealed for action on the ground that
his was great reconstruction meas
Ire. A similar bill has been report
I'd to the house.
By means of this measure, which
provides for loans to men who serv-
ID with the armed forces during the
var, Secretary Lane said jobs could
,e assured 100000 persons within
;ixty days.
With the proposed appropriation,
he committee was told, at least 25,-
700 farms in forty states could be
made ready for permanent occupan-
" by the men who helped clear |
hem. ~ II
OOLORED LADY ARRESTED