FARMS FOR SOLDIERS.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 108, 28 November 1918, Page 4

FARMS FOR SOLDIERS.

Henry Ford's idea. The millionare motor-car magnate of Detroit, who at the moment is the favorite son of his native State, and is likely to be returned as one of its Senators, has approached the U.S. Government with a proposal to establish a huge farm for returned U.S. soldiers. He is convinced that the married soldier can be convened into a successful farmer and to prove the soundness of his contention has purchased and laid out a 4,000 acre farm which is to be cut up into ten-acre lots, at Dearborn in Michigan. Mr Ford made a journey in September to Washington and laid his scheme before Secretary Lane, who promised him that no time would be lost by the U.S. Army authorities- in selecting the proper kind of men to carry the project through successfully. Mr Ford declares that it is not to be a charitable proposition. The motor manufacturer means merely to finance the ex soldier, to lend him the fully equipped farm at its full valuation, with the understanding that it is to be paid for by the farmers' earnings. That agrees completely with Secretary Lane's suggestion, which is that the Government sell them the land and lend them the money to develop it, the repayment to be on the easiest possible terms. "This is my idea," said Mr Ford to the correspondent after his visit to the secretary. " I will install the crippled soldier and his wife in a comfortable home with an appropriate-sized barn, on the little farm which I have already laid out on my place. He will have five head of cattle, some chickens, and a tractor which will plow, harrow, thresh, churn and do almost any sort of work necessary. He can readily operate this machine even though he is crippled. This whole layout I will value at 400 dol. which is as nearly as I can figure its actual worth. I firmly believe that the man will be able to earn an excellent living and to pay back his indebtedness in 10 years, after which he will own the property and will be able to lay up his profits for his declining years to come."