The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-05-21

AHZA come accumulated since 1910 and thar
for the first time in our history more
ll.S than half of the entire population Is
living in urban territory, as defined by the census
bureau. This Is to say that 54,816,2O9 or OLD per
cent are living In Incorporated places OF 25O0 or
more inhabitants and 5O,S66S99 48.1 per cent In
rural territory. In the census of 1910 the cor
responding percentages were 1853 and 537.
While the increase in total population was 149
per cent there was an increase of the urban pop
ulation of 12,192S26 or 2S6 per cent On the other
hand the increase of the rural population was
1,51SO16 or only 81 per cent. Worse still, the fg-
show that the rural class living in incorpor-
ated places of less than $500 Inhabitants increased
215 per cent whereas that class living In purely
country districts shows actual decrease OF
six-tenths of per cent
The country is therefore off balance. There
is trouble ahead for us If we continue to have
more food consumers than food producers. Ways
and means to meet this situation are therefore
a national topic. There must be a return to the
soil One way to bring this about is to make It
easier for the small farmer to secure title to the
land on which he works and to help him make
q success Of his work Consequently there are
all sorts Of national, state and community plans
under discussion, half established and under ac-
tual test.
California State Experiment.
/ One experiment that every sociologist and COM
munity worker to say nothing OF others, Is watch
ing with intense interest Is the California iand
settlement scheme. which was launched In 1913
and is the first Of its kind, at least II the united
States. IL A. Crafts thus describes IN the Sci
entiHc American the successful development OF
this California LAND settlement scheme:
The California state land settlement scheme at
Durham. Butte county. was launched In 1918, and
Is the rs settlement of the kind to be established
In the United States.
A tract OF 6,219 acres of farm land purchased
IL - csvf1 o6
ranging in size from two to one hundred ana nIty
acres.
The spirit In which the colony was started Is
best indicated by the enabling act adopted by the
California state legislature in 1917, which con-
tains the following clause
.sThe legislature believes that land settlement
IL problem Of great Importance to the welfare
az ali the people Of the state Of California, ana
FOR that reason through this particular act en-
deayors to improve the general economic ana So
cia conditions of agricultural settlers within the
state. and Of the people of the state IN general
By provisions Of this act the legislature ap-
rronriated the sum Of 100000, of which $25O,OOO
uras constituted a revolving fund for the purpose
Of purchasing and improving farm lands to be
sold in turn to bona ide settlers.
TIE land purchased for this first settlement was
rart Of the old Senator Leland Stanford estate
and with the exception Of about one thousand
acres-is composed Of deep. rich alluvial land "
ing along the shores of Butte creek.
Under two allotments and sale in 1918 the en-
fire tract was quickly disposed OF. and provided
beautiful and productive homes for 40 families,
including 200 children.
The enterprise IS not of an eleemesynary char
arter. but one designed to help real farmers pos
scssino real capital to accomplish better results
~ the way of practical agriculture. The state
land settlement board, a body consisting OF nve
members appointed by the governor OF the state,
exercised great pains In alotting the setuemen'
farms to desirable purchasers. Due considera'
tion was taken Of moral character. practicai farm
experience and financial standing. with view o.
welding the settlement into permanent and pros
porous community. s,s
Terms Of Sale Easy.
The cost of the land to the board was SiUO PEI
acre for that portion which was susceptible q
irrigation. ana $40 per acre for that portion thai
was non-irrgable Ofsthe latter there were only
about 700 acres This land in turn was sold e
settlers at an average price OF $3.50 per acre ant
the total price Of farm units ranged from $S'oU
to $4,000.
The terms Of sale to settlers included casf
paynaS f. III per cent of the purchase price, viii
deferred payments extending over period q
40 years. at s per cent interest. Loans were ex
tended for farmhouses and other permanent i'm
proveane1fs up to 60 per cent Of their cost witt
20 years for repayment. No loan for this purpos
was made above $1,000.
very wisely the state land settlement boar
took cognizapce Of the vexed question Of farm
labor and provided for the allotment Of two-acs
tracts for this class OF settlers. These lots wen
eagerly taken. The initial payment on each 10
was less than so. and deferred payments wer
Arranged On the same basis g those made 9
xirm settlers
This arrangement was made with Double pur
~