The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-10

home for which farp laborers may pay on
The passage of the Farm Homes amend
ment has made possible constructive
program, which is not an untried expert
ment.
There is, 1 find, an unfortunate DISPOSE
ton to denounce this plan as p3ternalistic
and eleemosynary. AS matter OF fact, 1t
Is not charity. hut practical business con-
sfderation alone which impelled the voters
to adopt the amendment
Farm Home Board.
1t would be possible to create a fund OF
81 100000 to be used as revolving fund
under the direction of Farm Home Board.
The fund could be provided without a cent
of expenses to the taxpayer. The bonds to
create it could be sold to the state school
fund, which now amounts TO over ten mil
hon dollars. They should bear n rate OF
fund now carries, and the interest, cost of
administration and all overhead expenses
tiers who become patrons of the plan. The
sale of the land upon easy terms would
constantly restore tn. fund
The Farm Homes Board should be given
large discretionary powers as to the al
ministration of the act by which it is Gre
ated- at, the same time the act SHOULD
the interests of the state would be amply
protected. the legislation enacted should
provide that the fund be used only on a
community basis, so as to prevent its dis
sipation thru haphazard distribution ann
consequent impossibility of effective use.
1t should provide for the repayment to the
state of the full amount of the revolving
fund with interest within a suitable period.
1t should also provide that purchasers or
farm alIotments or farm laborers alIot-
ments under the act must repay the loans
granted them jim reasonable time in the
amortization plan.
1t seems clear that the development of
n new land owning program would
need to progress slowly at first. Whatever
legislation is enacted should give the Farm
Home Board full authority in this connec-
ton, so that they might be protected
against attempts by interested parties to
attpmntRd of am
on too large scale during its early stages.
1 feel that the state would be remiss in
Its duty and negligent of its obligations If
it did rot provide that preference be given.
in the administration of Farm Home legis
fatsna to the those whS served in the armed
War or other wars of the United States.
Any preference the state can properly give
these veterans will be a small enough rec
ognition of its obligation to them.
This is not by any means a new land
settlement Plan. 1t has been tried out sue
Is now being successfully carried out IN
The California Plan.
Recently l have caused to be made for.
our Information study of the state super
vised plan of land settlement in Cali
fornia, and the reports all agree that the
plan is working well there. These reports
are substantmted by outside investigation
Only last week the Santa Fe Railway COM
ment projects, finished a thoro investiga-
ton OF. the California plan. Today a mes
sage from a trusted expert of that com
fornia plan is not only highly successful,
but satisfactory TO the public"
might succeed in California it would not
do so in Kansas. 1 believe it would sue
coed here just as it has in Denmark, Ger
Kansas is not a difficult farming coun-
try; California is. We are all too well
acquainted with agriculture possibilities
in this state to doubt the success of any
farming effort carried on under scientific
direction. The history of our agricultural
effort is too full of proof of its wonderful
possibilities to allow this doubt to enter
as real element in the discussion.
Better Leasing Laws.
~ No pan oI tne STATE San aos1luteiy cure
check it. In the meanwhile the state
should have better leasing laws, which
would provide against the mining of the
soil and give to the tenant some considera-
ton for an improvement he might put into
the soil Our leasing system has grown up
more scientific basis which would provide
impartial Justice to both the tenant and
TO the landlord.
Kansas stands upon the eve. of great
development The eager spirit of recon-
struetion will touch us as it will touch
all other sections of this great country
that encourage it. There will come before
this legislature many opportunities for ad-
vanced legislation. Our road building pro-
gram may now go forward with a satisfac-
tory speed. / advocate for it as 1 do for
the land tenantry legislation a cautious
DckiuH4uS. by IL proper use Ol SIule dutO-
mobile licenses as the states contribution
to the project a satisfactory program may
be put under way without bond issue or
taxes upon the general community.
Our Responsibility.
I should not close without congratulate
ing the state upon the splendid spirit in
which the present biennial session of the
legislature begins its activities.
The earlestness and harmony which
characterize the organization of both
branches and the realizing sense which
exists of the seriousness of all our prob
lens forecasts a conspicuously construc-
tive session.
We have just passed thru notable
political campaign. which has resulted in
placing both national and state govern
ments under the leadership of the Repub-
lican party. 1t is a responsibility that
should present to the leadership of our
| party realization that it is the leader
ship of real craftsmanship rather than that
| of practical politics that inspires us. The
party of the fathers is meeting a new test
everywhere. 1t is our duty to meet the
| test with devout intentiou-to make the
| high interests of government the single
purpose of the organization.