Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1919-04-29
Soldier Bonus Problem.

Soldier Bonus Problem.
A new bill embodying the Ideas of
some of the other measures, and some.
of the ideas suggested at the hearing,i
will be offered by the joint finances
committee to cover the soldier bOnusi
proposition. A score of people ap-l
peared before the committee to urge,
the passage of the measure. 1t was
evident that the speakers favored
compromise of the Nye and Pullen
bills, with some additional features
that will bring a larger bonus TO the
privates than that proposed in the
Cunningham bill.
The joint committee on finance was
unanimous that something should be
done for the returned and returning
soldiers, sailors and marines, and they
will prepare bill doing all within their
power.
''The first problem that confronts
the committee is to provided or imme'
diate relief" says the official commit
tee statement. Assuming that bill
would be valid which taxed the people
of the state for this purpose, the more
serious question is whether the state
has any power to raise the money by
bond issue or otherwise, for Immediate
use.
'The committee is satisfied that it is
a proper subject for federal legisla7
ton, but it is a condition and not
theory that confronts the committee
and, regardless of who ought to do 1t,
the committee wants to and intends
to do all that 1t can.
THE committee will prepare bill
just as quickly as it can, but if it att
temptS TO make undue haste there is
danger that it will get bill not welk
considered and which, therefore, will
be of no value at all. 1t is a more diff
ficult problem than people generally
consider and the public may rest as
sured that the boys will get every
thing that it is possible for the state
to grant. !
"The minimum amount to be raised
will apparently be $10,000,000.
Lie 10 SOAnS W SCAt
the best outside assistance, both finan7
cial and legal, they can get to help
them"
Senator Cunningham told the COM
mittee that legislation of this kind was
needed and needed quick" He said
that his bill would give the men three
months pay after the amount paid by
the federal government as a bonus had
been deducted Senator Bird pointed
out that in the case of $50 months
private this would only mean that the
private would get $50, while the Off!
Ger would receive larger sum. Sena-
tor Anderson asked if Senator Guns
bingham favored a bond or a direct
tax? He replied that he favored any
plan that would get the money for the
men.
eff the bonding proposition were not
feasible you would favor the putting
of the sum required in the next state
taxi" suggested Senator G. B. Bird.
''Put it in the state tax if you have
to-" declared Senator Cunningham
uuI WOlh OuI SOlLC SNhClnC WACICOJ
this money can be obtained for the
men quickly"
Senator Pullen declared that he be-
lieved the men would get a larger
measure of justice under his bill. He
declared that his measure provided for
a $40 a month bonus, based on the
number of months that a man had
been in the service. He pointed out
that under his plan the private would
receive as much bonus as the officer,
and he thought there should be no dis
elimination in that regard. Perhaps
some compromise bill should be work.
ed out, said Senator Pullen, but he
thought that the educational benefits
of the Nye bill would not extend to-
more than one-tenth of the soldiers.
81 think my bill will cost from ST.
100000 to $8,000,000," said Senator
Pullen, depending upon how soon
these men are gotten out of the serv-
ice." ...
Senator Nye explained the provi-
sions of his bill for applying the S. A.
7. G. plan for the education of soldiers
in the higher institutions of learning
in the state.