Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-04-30
Soldier Ronus ProhIem.


Of the ideas suggested at the hearing,
will be offered by the joint finance
committee to cover the soldier bonus
proposition. A score Of people APP
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 larger bonus 10 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 a 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 II is
a proper subject for federal legisla-
ton, but II Is a condition and not a
theory that confrOnts the committee
and. regardless of who ought to do 1t,
the committee wants to and intends
to do al that It can.
THE committee win prepare bilp
just as quickly as It can, but If 1t at
tempts TO make undue haste there IS
danger that 1t will get bill not we'll
considered and which, therefore, will
be of no value at all. II Is a more diff
ficult problem than people generally
consider and the public may rest as
sured that the boys viii get every
thing that it 4, possible for the state
to grant.
"The minimum. amount :" to raised
will apparently DC $10,0000OO.
THE committee Is going to call In
the best outside assistance, both finanS
cial and legal, they can get to helix
them"
Senator Cunningham told the COM
mittee that legislation of this kind was
needed aud 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 a month
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 Gun
ningham favored a bond or direct
tax? He replied that he favored any
plan that would get the money for the
men.
III the bonding proposition were not
feasible you would favor the putting
of the sum required In the next state
tax?" suggested Senator C. b. Bird.
Put It in the state tax II you have
to-" declared Senator Cunningham,
hut work out some scheme whereby
this money can be obtained for the
men quickly"
HtudlOE Iuiltu ueNluTfu ttluL he De
lieved the men would get n larger
measure of justice under his bUl. He
declared that his measure provided for
a SO 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.
IL think my bill viii cost from So.
100000 to $S.000,000" said Senator
Pullen. depending upon how soon
these men are gotten out of the serv-
Ice"
Senator Nye explained the provl-
sions Of his bill for applying the S. A.
T. c. plan for the education of soldiers
In the higher institutions of learning
In the state.