The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-06

nized tribunals and processes,
ought to make it possible to solve
the one set of questions as easily
as the other | believe the solu-
ton is possible.
The consideration of such a pol
icy would necessitate the exercise
of care of elaboration in the con-
struction of a code and a charter OF
elemental rights, dealing with the
relations of employer and employe
This foundation in the law, dealing
with the modern conditions OF So
cial and economic life, would
hasten the building of the temple of
peace in industry which rejoie-
ing nation would acclaim.
After each war, until the last, the
government has been enabled to
give homes to its returned soldiers.
and a large part of our settlement
and development has attended this
generous provision of land for the
nations defenders.
Vast Public Domain.
There is yet unreserved approx
mately 200,000,0 600 acres in the pub
lie domain, 20, 1000, 900 acres of which
are known to be susceptible of re-
clamation and made fit for homes
by provision for irrigation.
The government has been assist
ing in the development of its re-
naming lands until the estimated
increase in land values in the irri-
gated sections is fully $500, 000,0 900,
and the crops of 1920 alone on these
lands are estimated to exceed $780,
600 900.
Under the law authorizing these
expenditures for development, the
advances are to be returned, and it
would be good business for the
government to provide for the re-
clamation of the remaining 10000
900 acres, in addition to expediting
the completion of projects long
under way.
Under what is known as the coal
to deposits of phosphates and other
minerals on the public domain,
leases are now being made on the
royalty basis, and are producing
large revenues to the government.
Add Great Wealth.
Under this legislation 10 per-
centum of all royalties is to be paid
directly to the federal treasury, and
of the remainder so percentum is to
be used for reclamation of arid
lands by irrigation, and 40 per
centum is to be paid to the states
in which the operations are located
to be used by them for school and
road purposes
These resources are so vast and
the development is affording so re-
liable a basis of estimate, that the
interior department expresses the
belief that ultimately the present
law will add in royalties and pay
ments to the treasures of the fed
eral government aud the states
containing these public lands a to-
tai of $4,000, GOO, 000 This means,
of course. an added wealth of many
times that sum. These prospects
seem to afford every Justification of
government advances in reclama-
ton and irrigation.
Cut-0yer Lands.
Contemplating the inevitable and
desirable increase of population,
there is another phase of reclama-
ton full worthy of consideration
There are $4,000. 600 acres of swamp
and cut-over lands which may be
reclaimed and made as valuable as
any farm lands we possess. These
acres are largely located in south
ern states. and the greater proper
ton is owned by the states or by
private citizens. Congress has a
right of survey Of this field for
reclama ton, and the feasibility is
established. gladly commend
federal aid by way OF advances
where state and private participa-
ton is assured
Home making is one of the great
er benefits which the government
can best own. Measures are pend
ing embodying this sound policy
to which we may well adhere. 1t
is easily possible to make availab Bile
permanent homes which will pro-
vide. in turn, for prosperous Amer