The Red Cloud chief., 1913-05-22
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But everywhere under the Stars and Stripes on
Memorial day there 10 an outpourng Of those
who pay homage to the soldier dead. Every.
where is evidenced the thoroughness and eHi.
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 20doar 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 once in Washington is the pri
mary monument IN honor Of the old soldier IT
was built with the particular idea in mind OF
furnishing q clearing house for the gratuities
which the government extends to him. It is the
largest building ever erected by the federal gov.
ernment. The maintenance Of the pension service
alone in its handling Of the sums that go to tho
pensioners cost the government $2650.0O0 last
year. The net sums paid out in pensions has
during the last few years amounted around
$1,000 900 annually
This appropriation would mean . 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
$4,000 100000. OF this 330000O0.000 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 93,556000.000. This
10 to say. there is not enough money in the
United States today to pay at q single time, the
pensions that the Civil war veterans have re-
ceived So. in the course Of drawing their
stipends It 10 evident that the pensions have at
one time or another had all the money there H.
u h,,tH tn nolv& To-
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 trainloads Of gold we're 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 dissenting voice in congress when q
proposal to increase pensions is introduced. This
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.
The pension appropriation is the largest indi
vidual item when. each year. congress- makes up
the list OF governmental expenditures Yet
scarcely a voice Is raised In disclaimer. Admin.
istrations may lay heavy stress upon the pro
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 60 roaming through
government departments in search Of financial
leaks the pension ONCE IL 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 ia removed from
the old soldier. BE his age what It may the
positions are all open to him. In the examina,
tions that must be taken under civil service rules
the veteran need secure an average Of but IS.
while the civilian must rate at least 70.
No Escape.