The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
FUNDS FUR SOUTH
 T0 BE DEMANDED.
To Get Share For Reclama- ton Or Block Appropria-
 ton, Bankhead States
WASHINGTON BUREAU l
 THE AGE-HERALD } WashinRtOu. ID. C.. Oct. 20

That southern members of congress, in another session, would secure for the south just share of the annual appropriation for the reclamation of lands throughout the United States, or see to it that no such appropria- tion is authorized, was the sist of statement released here today by Representative William B. Bankhead of Alabama.
 Accordance to Mir. Bankhead, wes- tern delegations. in return for the support of southern delegations, promised 20 years ago, that the south would receive its just share of ap- propriations for reclamation pur- poses. Billions have been expended in the west, according to available stat istics. but the south has been neglected.
 Southern members are determined" said Mir. Bankhead, that there shall be an end to such federal aid unless the policy is made national in scope so that other sections than the west are given an opportunity to ishare. Southern Members Aided West.
 During President Roosevelts reg ime, q years ago. the west labored vigorously for federal aid in the re- demption of it's arid lands. There was much hostility in the republican camp to the proposition. Southern members of Congress realized that the issue was not partisan, and when the figrt of the west seemed doomed, agreed to furnish sufficient votes to assure passage of reclamation Legislation with the understanding that when the south felt that conditions justified federal assistance in retaining wet and cutover areas, the west would render aid to the south.
 President Harding recognized this condition and in his message to Com gress, December 6, 1921, commenced federal aid in reclaiming 7s,o00,OO0 acres of southern swamp and cutover lands.
 time has come for the west to make good its ancient pledge. Appeals have been iongerd by many of the western congressmen who seem to be inter ested only in their own affairs, and unwilling to permit any other sec ton sharing in the benefits of federal aid. As result, sentiment in the south is quite pronounced that 1T the west will not consent to the south and other sections sharing in federal re- members will see to it that federal aid shall cease.
 O O O
 south Now Pioneer Section.
 "So far as desirable. moderate priced and available lands for settle ment is concerned. the west has ceased to be the pioneer section and that designation properly rests with the south. There are ten acres in the south to one in the west that can De made available for agriculture. Another advantage with the south is that wet lands there can be redeemed at about ne-fourth the cost that arid lands in the west can be redeemed
 "The cost of preparing southern idle lands would be so moderate that settlers could obtain really cheap priced lands for farm homes, lands capable of as high development as any other in the United States. The products from such southern farrns would be those of which there is no surplus in this country, and which people in all sections need and would be better off to obtain.
 "The south Is not demanding that all future federal assistance be given the south. We do not wish to have such work cease in the west. But we are now determined that there shall be an end to such federal aid unless It is expanded into o national policy and the south permitted to share"