The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1920-04-08
LOOKS BETTER
~. FOR VESTS
IRRIGATION
Legislation for Soldiers Relief
Gives Reclamation Program
Boost.
MAY GET APPROPRIATION
Committee viii Probably Recon-
mend That Swamp as Well as Arid
Lands be Reclaimed.

According to C. C. Hart, Washing
ton correspondent of the Spokesman
Review, the outlook for favorable re-
clamation Legislation at this session
of congress became suddenly brighter
this week. In his Wednesdays dis
patch he says: " '..n
Prospects for enlarged reclamation
developments in the west became un-
expectedly bright today in the con-
sideration of soldiers relief legisla-
tion by subcommittee of the ways
and means committee of which Repres-
entative Hawley of Oregon is chair
man.
The funds which were sought re-
Gently by western governors in a
concerted mission to Washington ap-
pear likely now to be obtained with
out opposition through the plan to
aid soldiers. 1t is thought more than
probable that the recommendation of
the Hawley subcommittee will can for
$3.50, ,000,0 900 for reclamation by irri-
cation and drainage.
This differs from the plan worked
out at the last meeting Of the west
ern states reclamation association at
Salt Lake, Utah, in that it would in
clude reclamation by drainage, thus
letting the southern states and other
/ states having marsh lands into the
general project. A Recommendation
made by this subcommittee, it is an
ticipated, will be approved by the full
assuring its passage by the house.
1t was learned today that six diff
ferent plans for aiding the soldiers are
under consideration by the house
committee to be placed at the option
Of the former soldier, sailor, or ma
rine. If the plan is worked out on
the general committee outline, vet
Grams will be permitted to select any
one of the following proposals:
Homes on land reclaimed by irri-
cation or drainage; homes on lands
other than those named in plan No.
1; homes in city or town; vocational
education; paidup insurance; bonus in
cash.
The theory of the committee is that
the first four proposals are in the
nature of development of the country
and permanent benefit to the veteran
and for this reason an effort will be
put forth to make them exceptionally
attractive. In providing homes under
the first three plans, the veteran
would be given credit on the pur-
chase price at the reasonable rate of
$1.50 for each day of military service.
The veteran would also have the pre-
ference right of employment in the
course of construction work neces-
sary to preparing the land for set
tlement. He could draw his wages in
cash or have it applied as further
credit on the purchase price of land
or on improvements.
In addition to credit of so much
pay per day for service on the .pur-
chase price of the land, one proposal
receiving serious consideration in
working out the details of soldier
settlement provides for a loan Of
$1,000 to every veteran for stocking
and equipping his land in event that
he chooses to become farmer.
Should the legislation to which Mr..
Hart refers be enacted it is thought
the Kennewick project will be one of
the first western projects to be under
taken. Everything is in readiness for
actual construction to begin. Detailed
surveys and locations have been made,
ownership of lands is listed, and
estimates prepared. In fact all the
preliminaries have been disposed of
and the local project stands an excel
ent chance of being one of the very
first "under the gun"