The border vidette., 1932-07-23
BACK TO THE LAND

ment is under way in America has
prompted the national committee
on land utilizl ltion and settlement
to reveal the results OF careful
examination made of the pro
blem and to set up al adequate
guide and recommendations that
may be followed by the unem
ployed.
| Dr. Homer LaR,y Snantz, pre-.
sident OF the University of Ari
zons, who is a memb Der of the
committee. has called attention
to the same stand taken by the
national group and believes that
careful consideration of the com
mittee's recommendations will do
much to clarity the true status
of the agricultural problem.
The National Land Use Plan
ming Committee has had brought
to its attention the widespre
tendency for the unemployed to
look to the land as q means of
remedying their condition and
the activity of numerous agen
cies, philant thropic, semi philan
thropic aud commercial, in de.
veloping plans for placing unem-
pioyed families on the land. In
reference to this the committee
has pointed out that if unemploy
ment is to be long continued it
may give rise to number of
serious problems in'fand utiliza
tion.
The national group has recog
nized that certain types Of land
occupation may serve to relieve
the problem. but it is very de
6nite in pointing out that a
movement toward the farm lands
is no panacea for existing condi
tions. There is danger. the com.
mittee believes, Of over -produc
ton of farm commodities to the
extent that it may have an un
/ balancing OBJECT on the normal
market.
The committee is very careful
to show that the agrsriau move
ment today is different problem
than it was in earlier times when
vast new territories were being
opened to cultivation and graz
ing. However, it has listed
minor movements that may have
| a good effect in relic wing the un
employment situation.
| The committee states that
some of the unemployed are per
sous who have retained some
connection With the country,
either because they have recent
ly moved from the farm. or thru
relatives in the country. Many
of this class have already return
ed to the farm and were able to
make the shift without public
assistance. Under present con
ditions it is declared that this re
presents a normal movement
which need not excite concern.
J In addition it is advised that
for those who contemplate oc
cupancy of farms for the produc
ton Of crops and livestock, it is
generally advisable to start as q
farm laborer, by securing the
use Of land through rental con
tract or on an annual basis or by
combination of the two methods.
Before purchasing, the commit
tee warns, it will usually be wise
to make careful comparison of
potential receipts and expenses,
in order to determine whether
the probable net income will
justify the purchase price. 1t is
emphasized that the prices Of
things farmers buy are still re
latively high as compared with
prices which they obtain for
their products. The committee
pointed out that the great major
ity of the land available under
the Homestead Acts is not suit
able for the development of ar
able farms but is usually adapted
as q range for cattle. Entrance
into this field without capital is
looked upon as unwise. 1t is
also pointed out that large tracts
of cut over areas are not suita BILE
for profitable commercial farms.
Many plans of group coloniza
ton have been pointed out as
unsound because:
W They assume . degree of
permanence in an emergency
that may prove only temporary.
~ The record OF the expert
ments in the attempt to form
these colonies in this country is
not a happy one.
(3) A great deal of capital is
| rouuirnd IN tho na r. 0f tho cOlOD