The Chanute times., 1913-05-30
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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 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 20-dollar gold
pieces that this nation has paid out in pensions
to the veterans of the Civil war. Ten freight
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 pending before con-
gress
The pension Office in Washington is the pri-
mary monument in honor of the old soldier. 1t
built with the particular idea in mind Of
furnishing clearing house for the gratuities
which the government extends 10 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 sums that go to the
pensioners cost the government S2650,000 last
year. The net sums paid out in pensions has
during the last few years amounted around
600000 600 annually
This appropriation would mean couple of
dollars to every man. and child in the
nation. Indirectly every man, woman and child
contributes a couple of dollars to it.
The government has expended in pensions to
date for all the wars of the past little
$4000.000000 OF this SO 100000 900 was received
by Civil veterans. Four billion dollars Is an
enormous amount of monev. 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 s9,556 100000. This
is to say. there is not enough money in : the
United States today to pay at single time, the
pensions that the Civil war veterans have re-
ceived So in the course of drawing their
stipends 1t is evident that the pensions have at
one time or another had all the money there Is.
There is but s1.750,000 600 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 paid
out altogether $50 carloads Of gold coin in pen,
sons All it's gold might have been used two
and one-half times over in the process II this
twelve trainloads of gold were loaded at once II
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
proposal to increase pensions is introduced. The
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 indt
vdual 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 go roaming through
government departments in search Of financial
leaks the pension Office is clearlisted and no
questions are asked. The veteran and his pen
sion are held sacred.
When the question is raised 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
the old soldier Be his age what 1t may, the
positions are all open to him. In the examina
tons that must be taken under civil service rules
the veteran need secure average of but g.
while the civilian must rate at least 20.