The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-05-30
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But everywhere under the Stars and Stripes on
Memorial day there is outpouring of those
who pay homage to the soldier dead. Every
where is evidenced the thoroughness and eff
cheney of the nations attempt to take care of its
dead and assure the perpetuation 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 20dollar 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 it's veterans in a 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. 1t
was built with the particular idea in mind of
furnishing a clearing house for the gratuties
which the government extends to him It is the
largest building ever erected by the federal gov
eminent. The maintenance of the pension service
alone in its handling of the sums that go to the
pensioners cost the government $2,650,O0Q last
year. The net sums paid out in pensions has
curing the last few years amounted around
$160,000,000 annually
This appropriation would mean a connie ~
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 10
ddta FOR all the wars of the past little over
$4,000,660,Q00 OF this $4,000 100000 was received
by Civil war v6t5takSi 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 $3,556 100000 This
Is 70 say, there Is not enough money In the
ohteu states today to pay at single time the
pensions that the Civil war veterans have re-
celveu, 80, IN the course of drawing their
stlpends 1t is evident that the pensions have at
one time or another had all the money there isT
mere Is but s1,75O000000 in gold coin in the
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 maid
out altogether $50 carloads of gold coin in pen.
sions All its gold might have been used two
ana one-haif times over in the process. If this
twelve trainloads of gold we're loaded at once 1t
would require but nine additional trainloads to
maui the balance of the gold coin of the world
THESE pensions are paid quite cheerfully There
is hardly dissenting voice in congress whom n
proposal to increase pensions is introduced, Tho
people approve OF the action They worship at
the Shrine OF the martial hero and are willing at
all times to be taxed that he may be given
further pittances een
The pension appropriation is the Iareest indi
Wuual item when, each year. congress makes m
the list of governmental expenditures vet
scarcely voice is raised in disclaimer kdn,ia
sia'.s may Jay heavy stress upon the prcs
gram OF economy, but no suggestion is ever noado
tnat the pension roll be cut When measures
ol pension increases are brought before congress
not even the Democrats vote against tber, y,ha
investigating committees go roamino +ha,.,
government departments in search Of fnonoini
.sans the pension office is cear-listed and NJ
Iues'ions are asked. The veteran and bie NOV
sion are held sacred anu MS pen
. mnen tne question is raised as to who shan
su.,l position under Uncle Sam the veteran IL
IN az asI me advantage. In the civil service
ar 'ne urst pace the age limit is removal fror'
the old soldier Be his age wbot :. ~ IRON
positions are all open to him In the ers, .ne
lions mat must be taken under civil service
while ~ neen secure an average Of but &
WINE the civilian must rate at least TO- 0O' o.