The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1919-08-21
D0UGHBOYS Will
RECEIVE REWARD
MINNESOTA WILL PAY MEN
SERVING COUNTRY CASH
BONUS.
Land PLAN IMPRACTICABLE
BOYS TO RECEIVE $40 FOR EACH
MONTH IN MILITARY
SERVICE. ~

The Forthcoming special SESSION of
the Minnesota Legislature will un-
eloubtedly pass legislation rewarding
the states contingent n the late world
war.
Last winter the plan of donating
land to the returned soldier was con-
sldered, put this idea has nos maac
much of a hit with the war veterans.
Many states have passed legislation
rewarding the boys in cash. North
Dakota, for instance will pay each
Ct her sons $25 for each month spens
IN service. Present indications are
that Minnesota will pay the men
about $40 per month. Settlement will
he made each month, and it is propos-
ed to raise $1,200,000 per year to
carry out the law. In some cases it
is possible that the beneficiary will be
paid his full amount at one time.
To the Herald this seems only fair.
Most of the boys entered the service
at monetary sacrifice. Arguments in
favor of the proposal in preference
to free tuition, land offers and other
state rewards for military service are
set forth in a letter by Sergt. Richard
Eddy of Sank Centr~, to his rather,
Hon. Frank M. Eddy. Mr.. Eddy's
letter appeared in the Sunday Journal
and apparently reflects the sentiment
of most of the men in service.
Dick" enlisted very soon after
Uncle Sam declared war. He sailed
for France in August 1917, and re-
turned about three months ago. He
is now located at Lisbon, N. D. His
letter which follows, will be of partic-
ular interest to the soldiers from this
vicinity. 1t follows herewith:
Dear Dad,
"Your recent letter is at hand and
in reply will state, that I do not be-
heve that the Minnesota legislature
will do anything for the soldiers.
There is only one thing that they
can do that will be a rair deal and Of
equal benefit to all the soldiers and
that is,sas youssay, a fat rate Of so
much per month for actual service (by
this I mean time spent in the army
cit stands to reason that am an who
was in the army two years is entitled
to more than the man who was in the
army only year OF a few months.
That is the only thing that will be
welcome to all. Many of the men,
particularly among the volunteers, are
through school and are holding posi-
tons that they would not want to give
up to go to school.
GAS to farms, when you stop to
think how few of the men IN the army
We're on the farms when they enlisted
and how few would have remained on
the farms if they had not joined the
army, it is absurd to try to make
farmers out of all OF them SIMPLY be-
cause they have been in the army.
eff we are given money, the young
sters that want to go to school can,
the man who wants to go farming can
and the man who wants to start in
business can.
"The Nonpartisan STATE OF North
Dakota is to pay bonus of $25 a
month for each month spent in army
service and Minnesota has dollars
where this state has dimes.
Gas a matter of ract, we have not
a thing due US frx-n the state for
our services. 1t is worth all the time,
money and chances 1t cost us to be
home whole, to be alive and citizen
of this country, but if they feel like
making us donation, can state
positively that every man of us would
be in a receptive state of nina. do
hope they will settle something, come
through with something real or shut
up on the subject and quit raising
false hopes.
"We .old timers of the army lost a
good deal by being away from work
during the most prosperous and
thrift period the United States has
ever known and we are much farther
behind the times than people reahze,
and bonus would be godsend, but
as for myself I am satisfied with my
part in the war if I never get cent"