The Ordway new era., 1913-05-23

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 IL evidenced the thoroughness and en-
cheney Of the nations attempt to take of its
dead and assure the perpetuation Of the name
and tho credit OF the martial hero.
Twelve freight trains of 25 cars each would
be required to haul the money in 2O-dollar 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 single
year. These amounts promise to be greatly aug.
mented BY legislation now pending before CON
gress.
The pension once in washington il the pri-
mary monument in honor Of the old soldier. It
was built with tho particular idea In mind Of
furnishing . clearing house for the gratuities
which the government extends to him. It IL the
largest building ever erected BY the federal gov
ernment. The maintenance Of the pension service
alone Id IT. handling Of the sums that 60 to the
pensioners cost the government S1650.o00 last
year. The net sums paid out in pensions has
during the last few years amounted around
$1e0.000.000 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 1t.
Tho government has expended in pensions to
date @5fN hi the swafs OF the past little over
~ 900. OF this 5000 900 900 was received
BY Civil war veterans. Four billion dollars b IN
In the United States including all the gold silver
and paper money in all the .treasuries. banks,
wallets and old socks. but 33.666.000.000 This
10 to say. there 10 not enough money in the
United States today to pay, at q single time. the
pensions that the Civil war veterans have re-
ceived. 90. in the course OF drawing their
stipends 1t 10 evident that the pensions have at
one time or another had all the money there is.
There u but 31.750, 100000 in gold coin in the
United States. There il not half enough gold coin
IN existence to have paid these pensions had the
call come all ut once. The government has paid
out altogether $50 carloads Of gold coin in pen.
sions. All its gold might have been used two
and onehalf times over in the process. II this
twelve trainloads Of gold were 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. Therd
10 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
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 pro-
gram Of economy but no suggestion u 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 90 roaming through
government departments in search of financial
leaks the pension once is cear-listed and no
questions are asked The veteran and his pen.
sion held sacred.
When the question is raised as to who shall
secure position under Uncle Sam. the veteran ID
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 It may, the
positions are all open to him. In the examna-
tions that must be taken under civil service rules
the veteran need secure an average of but 65,
while the civilian must rate at leact 10.