The Arvada enterprise., 1913-05-22
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But everywhere under the Stars and Stripes on
Memorial day there is an outpouring of those
who pay homage to the soldier dead Every
where is evidenced the thoroughness and efl-
cheney of the nations attempt to take of its
dead and assure the perpetuatlon of the name
and the credit of the martial hero
Twelve freight trains of 25 cars each would
be required to haul the money in 2O-doar gold
pieces that this nation has paid out in pensions
to the veterans of the Civil war Ten freight
cars would be required to haul the money in gold
that the nation pays to its veterans in single
year. These amounts promise to be greatly aug
mented by legislation now pending before con-
gress
The pension office in Washington is the pri-
mary monument in honor of the old soldier It
was built with the particular idea in mind Of
furnishing clearing house for the gratues
which the government extends to him. 1t is the
largest building ever erected by the federal gov
ernment. The maintenance of the pension service
alone in its handling Of the that go to the
pensioners cost the government s2,65OO0O last
year. The net sums paid out in pensions has
during the last few years amounted around
s160 000, 900 annually
This appropriation would mean a couple Of
dollars to every man. woman and child in the
nation. Indirectly every man, woman and child
contributes couple of dollars to It.
The government has expended in pensions to
date for all the wars Of the past little over
OOo00,000 OF this $1,000 900 900 was received
by Civil war veterans. Four billion dollars is an
enormous amount of money. There is at present
In the United States, including all the gold silver
and paper money in all the treasures banks
wallets and old socks, but S3556 900 900 This
Is to say, there is not enough money in the
United States today to pay at a single time the
pensions that the Civil veterans have re-
ceived. So, in the course of drawing their
stipends it is evident that the pensions have at
one time or another had all the money there Is
iS but :
United States. There is not half enough gold coin
In existence to have paid these pensions had the
call come all at once The government has paid
out altogether $50 carloads OF gold coin in pen
sions. All its gold might have been used two
and one-half times over in the process II this
twelve tranloads of gold loaded at once it
would require but nine additional trainloads to
haul the balance of the gold coin of the world
These pensions are paid quite cheerfully There
Is hardly a dissenting voice in congress when n
proposal to increase pensions is introduced The
people approve of the action. They worship Mt
the shrine OF the martial hero and are willing at
all times to be taxed that he may be given
further plttances
The pension appropriation Is the largest indi.
Vidual Item when, each year, congress makes up
the list Of governmental expenditures Yet
scarcely voice is raised in disclaimer. Admin
istrations may lay heavy stress upon the prcr
gram of economy, but no suggestion is ever made
that the pension roll be cut. When measures
Of pension increases are brought before congress
not even the Democrats vote against them When
investigating committees go roaming through
government departments In search of financial
leaks the pension office is clear-listed and no
questions are asked. The veteran and his pen.
sion are held sacred
When the question is raised as to who shall
secure position under Uncle Sam, the veteran is
again given the advantage. In the civil service
in the first place, the age limit is removed from
no
positions are all open to him. In the eramina.
tons that must he taken under civil service rules
the veteran need secure an average Of but c.,
while the civilian must rate at leact 10