South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-17
WATCH PROGRESS
IN RECLAMATION
Indiana Interested in Plan to
Open Land For Returning
Soldiers and Sailors.

INDIANAPOLIS. Jan. 17.-Com-
munity war labor boards in Indiana
are watching with interest the devel-
opment Of the plans OF See. Of the
Interior Franklin h. Lane TO secure
from congress an appropriation OF
Size. 600 900 for the reclamation and
opening OF land 10 be settled by re-
turning soldiers and sailors, an in
creasing number Of whom is being
released daily from the federal
service. and for whom increasing
difficulties are being experienced in
the efforts OF the United States en-
Dloyment service 10 secure satisfac-
tory replacement in industry. and
IN business and professions! life
With the delayed transition OF
many large industries from "A war
basis TO "a peace time program and
with the agricultural activities OF the
state awaiting favorable weather.
the number Of unemployed civilian
war workers is daily growing. ina al
dition TO the inability OF many v hu
have been in the military service to
ind suitable work. IL is announced
by the United States employment
service that only by the most uni
versal cooperation and patriotic in
terest In the returning soldiers and
sailors. will the state be able to pre-
vent wastage OF time and man
power cue TO the delay in fOTmulat-
ing : program that will include jobs
FOR all who want To work 10 say
nothing Of the other disadvantages
OF Unemployment.
The Lane proposal for land recla-
nation development il only indirect
IS Of interest In Indiana. for the rea-
son that there is no considerable
area OF unused or unOccupied lana
that might be included in the secre-
tary's plan However. il Is not re-
garded as improbable that many In
diana soldiers and sailors will desire
10 avail themsc ives Of any OppOrtu-
mites the federal government will
extend 10 them. in their desire 10 bet
ter themselves economically. aside
from the educational and vocational
training that has been arranged.
Referring 10 the Lane project. the
field division Of the council of ma
tional defense. Of which the secre-
tary is director. points out that Pres
ident Wilson gave il his approval in
his recent message TO the congress;
former President Roosevelt approved
IL IN a magazine article prior to his
demise: and letters Of Endorsement
have been received from many
statesmen, economists and others.
Secretary Lane has appeared before
"A legislative committee stating his
purpose 20 create farms by reclaim
ing arid lands in the west draining
swamps in the south. and clearing
cut-over lands I'm the north and
northwest. lie declares every state
in the Union is affected. The pres
ent bill involves an appropriation
equal 10 that OF only two days of
wartime, ne says. and that the
amount OF the appropriation should
be increased as the need is shown.
on the basis OF what Australia has
done. he adds. America should be
prepared 10 spend four billions Of
dollars on this work. Canada offers
returning soldiers a total OF 800
acres OF land and $4,000 in cash.
Secretary Lane desires 10 employ
soldiers on reclamation work, at fun
wages. have them build homes.
stock the fa~ms and then have the
government make them "A deed. on
the basis OF payment in 80 years, at
the rate of four 4fc) interest. Thus.
ne says the entire cost ultimately
will be returned 20 the government
The south is said to have 100000
acres available for reclamation, and
roads also are needed there. IL is
believed. the secretary says that the
development of these farms will en-
courage manufacturing for supply
ing implements. buildings and ma
terials. He declares that there is no
time to- await for idle labor. for labor
already is idle in many states II
there is action now. he s9ys. much
work viii be developed during the
year. when il is most seriously
needed