The National tribune., 1911-04-20
VIEWS ON THE sULLoWAY BILL

The National Tribune wrote to each
of the new Democratic members of the
Committee on Invalid Pensions, inquir-
ing as to their attitude on the Sulloway
bill and pension legislation generally.
Hon. George W. Kipp, of Pennsylya-
mia, responds:
Replying to yours of the 10th, I am
decidedly in favor of good, liberal
pension bill, one something on the or
der of the Sulloway bill, and would
certainly take great pleasure in having
an opportunity to support some such
a measure. You may put me on record
as being heartily in favor of such legis-
lation."
Hon. ]. A. NJ. Adair, of Indiana,
writes that he has been an advocate of
the dollar-a-day bill, but since it has
been settled that the Senate will not
pass such bill he will push the bill
introduced by himself and known as
House Bill No. 25S6. This bill follows
the lines of the Sulloway bill up to 75
years, where II gives $40 and S36 at 80
years. He thinks his bill overcomes
the objections to the Sulloway bill, that
il did not raise the rates sufficiently at
the higher ages, and he has found that
it is satisfactory to all the veterans.
he BH1nhS, however, tflaI IDe OeClSlOH
to only take up certain legislation at
this session will make it impossible to
do anything along pension lines until
the regular session conVenes, when he
hopes to see his bill enacted into law.
Hon. Joe ]. Russell, of Missouri
writes:
'In answer to your letter to me, will
ADVISE you that l am very favorable to
anu agri- lott fny hf. hnfn aF tkan
deserving old soldiers of the civil war,
and especially those who from age or
disease are practically helpless and
needy.
'In the Goth Congress I favored all
legislation proposed for their benefit,
and am now in favor of the Sulloway
bill, which passed the House in the last
Congress, or any other reasonable bill
that may be offered for the relief of
the old veterans.
Il have introduced the SulloWay bill
at this session, with one change, reduc-
ing the amount to be paid to those
over 75 years of age from S36 to $40
per month. / understand that the Sen
ate Committee proposed this change,
and as any bill the House passes must
also pass the Senate, / thought this
change advisable, and that it would
increase the chances OF its final enact
ment
Personally ! would be in favor of
pension legislation at this session, but
/ understand the President and many
members of Congress are opposed to
engaging in any general legislation at
this extra session; but we can intro
duce bills and have them referred to
the committee. which will probably ad-
vance them at the regular session next
Winter"
Hon. John NJ. Hamilton, of West Vir-
ginia, writes that he is in favor of lib
eral pensions to the veterans, and
thinks that there is now too much cir
cumlocution in the manner of obtain
ing relief. He should be glad to see
the law simpIifed in such a way that
it would not be necessary for the vet
Grams to resort, so often without effect,
to private bills. In the nature of things
only few of these can be acted upon
out of the thousands presented at each
session. He is in favor of a general
law somewhat similar to the late Sullo-
way bill. Gen. Sherwood's bill looks
reasonable and just. and, IL he is not
convinced to the contrary, will sup
port it.