The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-08-31
DEMOCRATS DEMAND
LEGISLATION IN AID
OF EX-SERV|CE MEN

Washington, Aug. 30-NIorc than
three months Of the special session of
congress, controlled In both houses 10y
republicans, have passed and not a
single piece OF legislation helpful Ia
soldiers has been enacted. In fact the
only piece of legislation that has even
been brought TO the floor of either
house is the Mondell bin, a soldiers col
onization scheme, and thus likely to be
Of aid TO a relatively small number OF
the four million discharged fighting
men.
One of the democrats who has been
urging in season and out that congress
DO something substantial for the soldiers
Is Representative Edward W. Pou,
chairman of the rules committee in the
last house Mr.. Pou has pending hill
which would give $3.50 additional pay 10
discharged soldiers and sailors which,
added to the $50 provided for I'm the
revenue bill passed 10y the last con.
gress. would make their compensation,
I'm addition to their pay while actually
in the service, S240. At every opportu-
nifty, Mr.. Pou has urged upon the house
that his or some similar bill Ice passed
that the soldiers may receive at least
the same assistance that was given TO
the war workers in Washington who
were granted bonus of S2l0 each.
The people of the country feel that
congress can do no less than this as an
appreciation of the service of the men
who answered the call to the colors, said
Representative Pou, who continued
II have received great many letters
since | introduced the hill giving the
soldiers additional compensation will
not call it a bonuS-because feel we
justly owe the soldiers an additional
amount of compensation Without a
solitary exception the letters | receive
express the earnest hope that the bill
will pass.
II notice that our republican friends
have introduced several similar bills
but up to this hour nothing has been
done about them. ! sincerely hope that
there will be something more than talk.
IN the near future | shall again take
occasion to call this matter to the at
tention of the house. From time to time
the democratic membership will insist
on this. | have talked with number
of my influential democratic colleagues
and they agree that something ought to
be done. They agree that there is no
defending the discrimination against sol.
diers.
Il noticed the other day that certain
government clerks are going to demand
an additional $500. The chances are
they will get it. Surely congress will
give the soldier as much as $40 addi-
tional pay, as provided for in the bill
which | have introduced"
Representative Pou's bill provides
that "all persons who served in the mil
itary or naval forces of the United
States during the war who received base
pay not exceeding the sum of $500 an
nually. and who have, since April 6,
1917. received honorable discharge or
shall hereafter receive honorable dis
charge, and all reservists who have
been or shall be placed on inactive duty,
shall be paid in addition to al other
amounts due them by law, the sum of
$3.50"
Mr.. Pou and other democrats will ask
for a hearing by the committee ON mil
itary affairs and will insist upon an ear
ly and favorable report.
During a speech on the floor of the
house, in urging substantial aid for the
soldiers and sailors. Mr., Pou said that