No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 19 



There seem to be many conflicting opinions expressed, both 

 in papers and by persons, relative to this subject. Many of 

 these opinions have been formed before the person stating 

 them knew of the final plan which has now been worked out; 

 also many persons have expressed themselves without con- 

 sidering the question in a large way. 



Briefly stated, the plan which the Department of the In- 

 terior has approved for placing soldiers on land is as follows. 

 It is the intention of the Department of the Interior to place 

 men in colonies of not less than 100 members to each colony, 

 and the limit of the colony would only be reached by its limi- 

 tations of land and markets for its products. The minimum 

 acreage which they consider essential would be not less than 

 10,000 acres. If after an investigation any State wishes to co- 

 operate with the national government, and will furnish suitable 

 land, the government will then do the necessary reclamation 

 work, whether that means drainage, clearing or irrigation, with 

 the understanding that its money will be paid back by the 

 settlers in annual instalments, covering a period not greater 

 than twenty years. The State will lend its credit to a certain 

 extent in building and stocking these farms. Applicants for 

 land under this condition must have, by the government plan, 

 at least one-third of the necessary capital to finance themselves. 

 They must be approved farmers, or if not, must have gained 

 experience either by working on farms approved by the govern- 

 ment, or else by some other method proved themselves capable 

 of handling an agricultural proposition. 



The advantages of this scheme are apparent, inasmuch as a 

 group of men put together in this way will have common 

 interests, and they will be able to organize themselves into co- 

 operative associations for the purchase and sale of material. 

 Their social and educational problems will be mutual, and the 

 ultimate object of it is that they will own their own land, and 

 be absolutely free and independent of any governmental control 

 beyond that which has to do with the payment for their farms 

 and equipment. 



The fact that the Secretary of the Interior first drew atten- 

 tion to the large areas of unused land in the country, and later 

 the President spoke of it to Congress, has led many to believe 



