Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1920-04-10
FARM LOAN BANKS
DELEGATES PLAN
Proposal to Meet Evil of lncreas-
ing Tenantry.
TO FIGHT EDUCATION CAUSE
Union Labor Opposes Technical Trend
in Public Schools--Proposition to
Be Presented to Basic Law
Makers.

Dunlap believes the constitutional con-
0pntion can and should open a way to
increase food production on Illinois
farms.
Farmers in my section of the state
are seeding down to grass part of
the land they have been cultivating,"
he said, because they cannot get help.
This, together with tenantry, which Is
increasing rapidly, is reducing food
production and Is making problem
mat concerns us all"
His solution, which will be present
ed to the con-con soon, Is the estab-
lishment of state farm loan banks. If
the state will provide money at low
rate of interest and on long time, he
believes the young men Of the rural
districts will buy farms of their own
and help produce food instead Of
nocking TO the cities. Thus he would
meet the tenantry and help questions.
Mr.. Dunlap is chairman Of the agri.
cultural committee Of the con-con and
as the head of a subcommittee has
helped draft proposal by which the
legislature would be given authority
to establish and maintain funds to be
loaned to purchasers of farms. The
loan would be secured by the land pur-
chased and would be paid Off I'm In
stallments covering long period Of
years. Loans would be available only
to persons who would cultivate the
tra nts hos hAt,nht ,,nlA,
ment.
"Tenantry on the Illinois farms has
increased 80 per cent in the last ten
years." Mr.. Dunlap declared. "ln 1880
only 81 per cent Of the farms of the
state were in the hands Of tenants. In
1910 the per cent had increased to Ala
and In 1920, according to estimates
compiled by the legislative reference
bureau, the per cent Of tenants on ILL.,
nois farms has increased to 60.
According to surveys made by
county farm bureaus In central Illinois
tenants occupy IS to so per cent Of the
farms In several counties.
Confirmed tenantry running rs high
rs II does In Illinois Is a menace to the
future welfare Of the state. Scientific
investigation and common observa-
ton unite in the charge that It re-
suits In smaller crops, In declining fer
tllity Of the soil and in lower stand
ard Of social welfare, wherever It. be-
comes the dominant method Of agri.
culture.
Herein lies the interest of the state.
Ownership of the farm by those who
occupy II IL productive OF better
agriculture, maintenance of the fer
tility Of the soil and higher type Of
citizenship.
"Another feature is citizenship. II
came to be understood during the war
rs never before. The farm home is
the bulwark Of the nation, but this i'm
plies that the home Is owned by the
farmer.
"The tenant would not fight for the
absentee landlord as he would for his
own home. He will not produce for
such landlords as though he owned the
farm.
illinois Is losing Its best tenants.
Those who have made some money on
Illinois farms are removing from the
state because Of the impossibility I'M
der present conditions Of purchasing n
farm home In the state.
confirmed tenantry with no hope Of
ultimate ownership OF the land on the
part of the tenant would be disastrous.
Our state should not permit present
conditions, and 1t Is my belief that the
longtime loan with small initial pay
ment and low rate Of interest to
those who occupy the land, will accom-
plsh the desired result"
Charles Il. Stillman, chairman Of the
committee on schools of the State Fed
Grafton of Labor Is expected to pre-
sent the organizations school plan
this week, when labor Is scheduled for
Il field day. Samuel GOmpers was in
vited 10 be the headlner, but he wired
President Woodward that he cannot
come until April II. 1t Is assumed he
viii be given hearing on that date.
The con-con committee on schools
has all but agreed upon changing the
purpose of the public schools. They
propose that the children of Illinois
shall be given such an education as
will make them useful and self-sup-
porting citizens" To this, which Is
thought to grant much broader power
than Is now conferred by the basic
law, the labor federation and the teach
erS' association are in opposition.
Wants Ex-Governors In Senate.
The legislative committee of the
constitutional convention will be asked
to consider plan by which all ex-gov-
errors would become members of the
state senate on retiring from the office
of chief executive. William f. Traut-
mann of East st, Louis Is author of n
proposal by which this would be writ
have the right given those who have
served as governor to sit In the SEN
ate, take part in discussions and act
on committees, but would not permit
them to vote.
~
Edward w. Everett. the well known
lawyer. is frequently talked of for
congress by his many political friends.
He Is said to have no ambition In this
direction, but his popularity would
cause his election to almost any office
he was nominated for.
~S>
Mayor Thompson should be given