The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-26
CONGRESS URGED
TO PASS SOLDIER
SETTLEMENT ACT
Governors Conference Passes
Strong Resolutions Show
ing at Least Four Southern
States Behind Proposition.

Immediate passage Of the soldier set
tlement bin by the congress was urged
in the resolutions passed at the close Of
the conference held Monday afternoon,
! n which representatives Of four states
participated.
The act known as the MondeTl act,
embodies the plans originated by
Franklin X. Lane, secretary Of the in
terror, for providing opportunities for all
service men to secure a farm home un-
der most favorable circumstances and
terms.4
The appropriation carried in the act
is $780, 900, 900. Lands throughout the
West and South have already been ex-
amined by federal appraisers and en-
gineers, and a majority ofthe state leg
islatures have taken such action as
necessary, for the appointment of COM
missions to secure the necessary bodies
of land.
In addition to Gov. A. H. Roberts, Of
Tennessee, who called the conference,
Gov. c. H.. Brough, of Arkansas; A. #.
Abbott, of Savannah, Ca, representing
Lake Charles, La, representing Gov.
r. G. Pleasant, of Louisiana, attended.
The conference followed a luncheon at
the Chamber of Commerce, given by
members of the chambers soldier land
settlement committee, of which Frank
I1d1utH IL tndlIIldHs MI. Idgutl WAS
out of the city and Hugh Wynne pre-
sided.
Brief addresses were made by Gov.
Roberts, Gov. Brough, Messrs. Abbott
and Bayliss, both Of whom are mem
bers of the state commissions in charge
Of the securing and optioning of lands
to be offered the government under the
proposed bill; Wilbur o. Nelson, state
geologist of Tennessee, a member of the
Tennessee soldier land settlement COM
mission; DR.. II. G.. Hathorne, of the
local committee. About rs members of
the committee attended the luncheon.
All agreed that the general provisions
of the Lane plan provide the best means
of securing an opportunity for all SER
vice men who wish to take advantage
of it, for securing homes and improv-
ing them, and that the Mondell act Is
much the best measure for the purpose
now before the congress.
The resolutions drawn up and signed
by Gov. Brough, chairman; Gov. Rob-
erts and Messrs. Bayliss. Abbott and
Nelson will be sent to all Southern
members of congress. Gov. Roberts
himself probably will go to Washing
ton to urge the passage Of the bill,
which he believes Is a step forward in
the baek-to-the-farm movement which
should be preached and urged every
where.
The resolutions follow:
I'VE unreservedly and unqualifiedly
indorse Inc recommend immediate
passage of house bill No. 4S7, known
as the Mondell national soldiers settle
ment bill, for the following reasons:
"First-The service men of the army,
navy and marine corps as Represented
in the American Legion, have recon-
mended the Mondell bill and requested
"Second-It will provide employment
and rural homes for those who have
served in the army, navy and marine
corps of the United States.
"Third-The community settlement
feature contained in the Mondell bill
in states that where this plan of set
tlement is possible, 1t would be superior
for the following reasons
"(A)-The cost of land and improve
ments would be less and the service
men themselves would benefit from the
unearned Increment resulting from such
community development.
"(B)-This plan would make possible
economy and efficiency in purchasing
equipment and supplies in the develop.
ment of the lands and in. the sale o.
products, and would provide from thu
beginning the advantages of organizeC
social life.
"(C)-In view of high wages in indus.
trial centers IN the one hand and higt
prices of farm lands prevailing near set,
| tied communities, it is doubtful II any
other plan would attract such a large
number Of service men.
"Fourth-It is no valid argument
against this bill to say that it does no
provide a definite pension or a benefac.
ton for every service man. In offering
opportunity for work and homes on the
land for the veterans of the late wal
our government would only be carrying
ont its historic policy in dealing will
veterans of previous wars, which at al
\ times has been followed by a nationa
back-to-the-land movement. This meas.