The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-12-08

penditures for development the ad-
vances are to be returned and it would
be good business for the governments
to provide for the reclamation of the
remaining 100000 acres in addition
to expediting the completion of pro-
Jects under way.
Leases in Public Domain.
Under what is known as the coal
and gas lease law applicable also to
deposits of phosphates and other min
erals on public domain, leases are now
being made on the royalty basis and
are producing large revenues to the
government. Under this legislation 10
percent of all royalties is to be paid
directly to the federal treasury and
Of the remainder so per cent is to be
used for reclamation of arid lands by
irrigation and forty per cent is to be
paid to the states in which the opera
tions are located to be used by them
for school and road purposes.
These resources are so vast and the
! development is affording so reliable
basis of estimate that the interior de-
partment expresses the belief that ul-
! timately the present law will add in
royalties and payments to the treas
uries of the federal government and
the states containing these public
lands total of 12,000,000,0O0. This
means of course, an added wealth of
many times that sum. These prospects
seem to afford every justification of
government advances in reclamation
and irrigation.
Urges Land Reclamation.
Contemplating the inevitable and
desirable increase of population there
, is another phase Of reclamation full
worthy Of consideration There are
100000 acres of swamp and cut-over
lands which may be reclaimed and
made as valuable as any farm land we
possess. These are largely located in
southern states and the greater pro-
portion is owned by the states or pri-
ate citizens. Congress has report
Of the survey of this field for reclaim
alton and the feasibility is establish
ed. l gladly commend federal aid by
way of advances where state and priv
ate participation is assured.
Home-making is one of the greater
benefits which government can bestow.
Measures are pending embodying this
sound policy to which we may we'll ad-
here. 1t is easily possible to make
available permanent homes which will
provide for prosperous American fam
lilies without injurious competition
with established activities or imposi-
ton on wealth already acquired.
Pleads for Starving Russians.
While we are thinking of promoting
the fortunes of our own people l am
sure there is room in the sympathetic
thought of America for fellow human
beings who are suffering and dying
Of starvation in Russia. A severe
drought in the valley of the Volga
has plunged 100000 people into
famine. Our voluntary agencies are
exerting themselves to the utmost to
save the lives of children in this area
but it is evident that unless relief is
afforded the loss of life will extend
into many millions. America cannot
be deaf to such a cali g. that.
We do not recognize the government
of Russia nor tolerate the propaganda
which emanates therefrom, but we
do not forget the traditions of Rus
sian friendship. We may put aside our
consideration of politics and funda-
mental differences in government. The
big thing is the call of the suffering
and dying. Unreservedly I recommend
the appropriation necessary to supply
the American relief administration
with ten million bushels Of corn and
one million bushels of seed grains, not
alone to halt the wave of death through
starvation but to enable spring plant
ing in areas where seed grains have
been exhausted to stem starvation.
Directed by Americans.
The American relief administration is
directed in Russia by former officers
of our armies and has fully demon
strated its ability to transport relief
through American hands without hind
rance or loss. The time has come to
add the government support to the
wonderful relief already wrought out
of the generosity of the American
private purse
I am not unaware that we have suf-
fering and privation at home. When
it extends the capacity for the relief
within the states concerned it will
have federal consideration. It seems
to me we should be Indifferent to our
own heart promptings and out of ac~
cord with the spirit which acclaims
the Christmas tide, if we do not give
out Of our national abundance to light
en- these burdens of woe upon people
blameless and helpless in famine's peril.
End NOn-Taxable Bonds.
There are a full score of topics con-
corning which it would be becoming to
address you and on which l hope to
make report at later time. l have
alluded to the things requiring your
earlier attention. However, 1 cannot
end this address without suggested
amendment to the organic law. Many
of US belong to that school of thought
which is hesitant about altering the
fundamental law. / think our tax
problems the tendency of wealth to
seek non-taxable investment and the
menacing increase of public debt, fed
eral, state and municipal-all Justify
proposal to change the constitution
so as to end the issue of non-taxable
bonds. No action can change the status
of the many billions outstanding, but