Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-01-14

land under modern methods and part
Of their earnings retained as partial
payment for cleared land,
Since the logged-off lands are now
owned by private individuals, 1T might
be feasible for the federal govern
mcnt to acquire the stump land by -ex-
changing timber in the forest reserve
an an equitable basis to be determined
between the government officials and
the owners of the logged-off lands The
federal government has about 14,000,000
acres Of timber land in the Oregon for
est reserve and much of this timber is
now ready for the market.
Irrigation projects should also be d.
rected, the land subdivided into units
and the same system Of financial aid
followed in establishing the farms snd
herds and erecting the necessary build
ings. including modern Inexpensive
home. A similar plan could be followed
in the drainage of swamp lands.
Present Commission Honorary.
/ Oregon has undertaken the subdiv-
ision of farms in voluntary way
through the services Of the honorary
Oregon land settlement commission,
(which was appointed by me year ago.
| suggest that this commission be made
permanent by proper statutory enact
ment and furnished funds to work with.
| The administration Of tho work in
Irrigated sections should be feft with
the desert land board, but the work Of
subdividing the farms and tho setting
of the logged-off lands as well as the
drainage districts should, / believe, be
under the administration Of the Oregon
land settlement commission.
The natural aptitude Of the pros
pective settler and his experience in
farm work must be considered con-
stantly in study of this question, for,
in developing any farm unit, inuca wiil
depend upon the occupant himself, par
ticularly his desire to develop the prop
orty and his application to the work.
For this reason great care should be
iexcrcised in selecting as settlers only
practical farmers or those who show
likely promise OF developing into sue
cessful farmers
The legislative committees formulat-
ling land settlement legislation will, no
doubt, derive considerable profit from
a careful study Of ''Thc Soldier Bet.
tlement Act" suggested by Secretary
of the Interior Lane and from confer
encc with members Of the Oregon land
settlement commission, who hs@e given
the subject much constructive thought,
and who have placed Oregon at the
forefront of the nation in this import
ant work.
Returning Soldiers.
Machinery must be set officially in
Emotion to place available positions at
the dispossl of returning service men
land, in this connection, ! commend to
your legislative generosity the sugges-
ton that preferential rights be grant
cd them in contracts Of employment
on public work, such as highway con
struction! A state executive committee
appointed by me some weeks since to
arrange a proper reception for return.
ling fighters is preparing census OF
available positions and doubtless a rea-
sonable appropriation will be asked to
finance its worthy endeavors.
| / feel that steps should be taken
toward the compilation of reliable,
permanent history Of Oregon 3 partic-
lipation in the world war So that the
achievements Of our boys can be pre-
served to posterity. The state hbrar-
ian, having been appointed by the coun-
ell of defense as state war historian,
has undertaken this work on compre'
Ihsnsive and thoroughly practical plan
/ suggest that suitable appropriation
be set aside for this commendable pur-
nose. There viii be other ways Of hon.
loring and perpetuating the memory ana
deeds of the Oregon soldiers and san.
ors and no doubt this legislature VIII
exercise tho pleesan duty of determin-
inc upon an official state memorial.
| Absentee Voting.
In nv last message, addressed TO the
| l1gl7 Legislative assembly, ] urged the
adoption OF legislation extending the
electoral franchise to soldiers who may
be absent from the state while engas
ed in the service of thcir country for
obyiou, reasons ii may not be possible
10 amend our primary and election laws
so that men serving in a foreign land
could cast their ballot under all CIR
cumstanees, but in fairness 10 the men,
consideration should at least be given a
system of direct mail voting that would
mot interfere with military efficiency.
Surely these men, though temporarily
absent from home, are as much. citizens
az ever, and the very reason for their
absence makes our obligation toward
them the stronger. Soldiers on active
Idnty are also entitled to their other
civil rights and TO protection in tho
form Of moratorium for reasonable
time after their return.
/ Treason.
1t is not generally understood by tho
people of this state that there is now
no penalty in Oregon for treason. BE-
fore tho abolition Of capital punish.
mcnt conviction of this crime brought
tifc death penalty, but today there
would be no way to enforce that sen
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