Homes for Soldiers

The CHAIRMAN. Gentlemen, this meeting has been called to consider the matter of the soldiers' settlement bill. We have a report from the Secretary of the Interior which will be printed in the hearings. Secretary Lane was to be here this morning, and also Mr. Mondell and Mr. Davis, and Mr. Cory. Mr. Mondell seems to be the only one here just at the present time, and if the committee wishes, we shall be pleased to hear him.

STATEMENT OF HON. FRANK W. MONDELL, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF WYOMING.

Mr. MONDELL. Mr. Chairman, I desire to call the attention of the committee to H. R. 487, a bill to provide employment and rural homes for those who have served with the military and naval forces through the reclamation of lands to be known as the "National Soldier Settlement Act."

The following is a copy of said H. R. 487:

A BILL To provide employment and rural homes for those who have served with the military and naval forces through the reclamation of lands to be known as the National Soldier Settlement Act."

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That to provide employment and rural homes for those who have served with the military or naval forces of the United States during the war between the United States and Germany and her allies and have been honorably separated or discharged therefrom or placed in the Regular Army Reserve, and former American citizens who served with, and were honorably separated or discharged from the military or naval forces of any of the nations allied against the Central Powers, and who have been repatriated, all of whom are hereinafter referred to as soldiers, there is hereby established a fund in the Treasury to be known as the "National Soldier Settlement Fund," hereinafter referred to as the "Fund," to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary," for the purposes herein stated and as hereinafter provided. SEC. 2. That the Secretary is authorized to use the Fund for the purposes of this act. He may acquire by gift, purchase, deed in trust, or otherwise, the necessary lands for Soldier Settlement Projects, hereinafter referred to as "Projects," and may withdraw, utilize, and dispose of by contract and deed public lands suitable for such purposes. No lands shall be acquired, however, unless the price to be paid, and the conditions under which they are to be acquired shall be approved by (a) a representative of the Governor of the State in which the lands are located; (b) an appraiser designated by the Federal Farm Loan Board; and (c) the Secretary. Projects shall be selected with a view to the development of one or more projects in each of the several States in which feasible projects may be found.

SEC. 3. That the Secretary is authorized through such agencies as he may provide to engage in such undertakings and do and perform such work as in his opinion is necessary for the permanent reclamation or development of the lands of projects, and when he deems essential to place them in condition for use and cultivation, including the building of essential public roads. The Secretary shall, so far as possible, utilize the services of soldiers for such purposes.

The Secretary may also, through agreement with soldiers, make provision for necessary improvements, but the contribution from the fund shall in no single case exceed $1,200, nor in excess of three-quarters of the cost or value of the improvements.

SEC. 4. That the lands of projects shall be subdivided into farms suitable for the support of a family and in the discretion of the Secretary into smaller farm workers' tracts. Dedication may be made for schools, churches, community centers, and other public purposes. Town sites suitable for the purposes of the project may be established, developed, and sold as provided herein. SEC. 5. That soldiers who are not the owners or proprietors of farms or rural homes shall be eligible as purchasers of a farm or farm workers' tract. Preference shall be given to those who have been employed in the development of such projects, and as between applicants with a view of safeguarding the settler and the United States, so far as practicable, against loss or failure. The Secretary shall make regulations general in character, or applicable to specific projects, as to residence and cultivation with a view of carrying out the purpose of making the soldier settlements the permanent home of the soldier purchasers.

SEC. 6. That sale prices shall be fixed with a view of repaying the total cost of each project, and the price fixed for each farm, tract, or lot shall represent as nearly as practicable its relative and comparative selling value. Approved applicants shall at the time of entering into contract of purchase make a first payment of 5 per centum of the sale price. The balance shall be paid in amortizing payments extending over a period to be fixed by the Secretary, not to exceed forty years. Sums advanced for improvements shall be repaid in amortizing payments extending over a period to be fixed by the Secretary, not to exceed twenty years. The amortizing payments shall bear interest at the rate of 4 per centum per annum, payable annually, computed from date of contract. The contracts for the sale of the farms, tracts, and lots shall provide for cancellations and forfeitures of payments made under the contract for failure to comply therewith.

SEC. 7. Patents or deeds to project lands issued within ten years from the date of contract of sale shall contain the condition that no transfer, assignment, mortgage, or lease made during that period shall be valid without the approval of the Secretary, and no transfer, assignment, mortgage, or lease of any right, title, or interest held under a contract of sale shall be valid at any time without the approval of the Secretary. The Secretary shall make all necessary regulations for the carrying out of the provisions and purposes of this act and for safeguarding the interests of the settler and of the United States, and is authorized to issue patents or deeds for the public and private lands embraced in farms, tracts, and lots within projects.

SEC. 8. That the Secretary is also authorized to make short-time loans from the fund, not to exceed $800 at any one time, to a soldier settler for the purchase of necessary live stock and equipment, and provision shall be made for the repayment of such loans during a period not to exceed five years with interest on deferred payments at 4 per centum per annum, payable annually, computed from date of contract: Provided, That no such loans shall exceed 60 per centum of the cost of the live stock and equipment purchased. SEC. 9. That whenever any State shall provide funds to be expended in cooperation with the United States to provide rural homes for soldiers, the Secretary shall have authority to enter into contracts for such cooperation, and when the State shall furnish 25 per centum of the necessary funds the Secretary may authorize the State, subject to his general supervision, to carry on the subdivision of the land, improvement of farms, and the aid and direction of development after settlement. The Secretary is authorized to provide for reimbursement of funds so advanced by the State. He may also cooperate with other agencies to the extent he may deem advisable and likewise provide for reimbursement to them of funds advanced.

SEC. 10. That for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this act the sum of $500,000,000 is hereby authorized to be appropriated.

Mr. Chairman, since long before the close of the war, publicspirited men have had in mind what we might be able to do for our returning soldiers and sailors in the way of affording them opportunities to secure homes on the lands. Ours has always been a land of wonderful opportunity in the matter of acquiring homes. At the close of the Civil War, the returning soldiers of both armies formed the vanguard of a movement of settlement and development that is without parallel in the history of the world. That has been true at the close of every war of the Republic since Revolutionary times. Within a year after the signing of the armistice, at least twice as many men will bid farewell to the Colors and return to their homes as formed the armies on both sides of the Civil War, but the opportunities that awaited those soldiers no longer exist. It is true that in many parts of the West, there are still homestead opportunities, but the lands are not as fair and favorably situated as the lands of the Mississippi Valley. Still, in view of the fact that we are granting them to the soldiers in larger areas than formerly, they do afford opportunities for those who desire to engage in the character of agriculture which can be successfully carried on on the dry lands. There are some opportunities under the reclamation projects; splendid opportunities so far as they exist. There are still areas of cheap lands in the country, although such areas are becoming smaller and less numerous all the time; and in view of the large number of men who are returning, the opportunities to secure lands and homes will not meet the demand unless the Federal Government affords some aid in the matter.

These matters were all considered, as I said at the beginning, even before the signing of the armistice by a great many people who are interested in the general welfare of the soldiers and who are interested in the general development of the country. The Secretary of the Interior took up the matter very early and very eloquently, and urged it very forcifully. Members of Congress introduced bills. The present chairman of this committee Mr. Sinnott introduced a bill. The gentleman from Oklahoma, Mr. Morgan, introduced a bill. The then chairman of this committee, Mr. Ferris, had the matter under consideration. The gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Taylor, introduced a bill which went to the Committee on Irrigation and was favorably reported. A bill was introduced by the gentleman from South Carolina, Mr. Byrnes, and went to the Committee on Appropriations. I introduced a similar bill which went to the Committee on Appropriations. I think some other gentlemen introduced bills. I do not remember all of them.

The CHAIRMAN. I think Mr. Raker introduced a bill.

Mr. MONDELL. Yes: Mr. Raker introduced a bill.

The CHAIRMAN. And I notice from this morning's record that Mr. Tillman also introduced a bill.

Mr. MONDELL. Mr. Tillman has also introduced a bill.

Mr. RAKER. Mr. Smith of Idaho also introduced a similar bill with reference to reclamation projects.

Mr. MONDELL. That is true. Almost every man from the western country, and many from other parts of the country, who have a special interest in these matters, were active in promoting the proposition of soldier-land settlements, but the Congress which expired the

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