Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1919-07-29
GOVERNOR VETOES
COMPENSATION ACT
Nye Bill Provided for $50 Month
to Returned Soldiers.
MAY CALL SPECIAL SESSION
Project Is Regarded of Sufficient I'm
Portance, Providing Ordered In
vestieation Warrants Reas-
sembling of Lawmakers.

sembling of Lawmakers.
Madison.-Gov. Philip sent a veto
to the senate of the Nye bill provid-
ing for compensation of $50 a month
to returned soldiers attending the
higher institutions of learning.
Gov. Philip says there is no in
formation upon which to base an esti-
mate as to how many of these soldiers
would avail themselves of the oppor-
tunity and that he will at once direct
Adjutant General Holway to make a
survey of the problem. He says he
will also consult educational authori-
ties, including the state board of edu-
cation, as to how to best meet stu
ations Of IN educational standard
nature that may arise under the bill
1.-THE project is of sufficient impor-
tance," says Gov. Philips veto, Ito
warrant the calling of a special SEES
sion of the legislature In that, how
ever. 1 shall be guided by the results
of our inquiries among the soldiers
anu tic HuuilISS anu Recommendations
of the state board of education"
The veto of the Nye bill is one of
the most exhaustive that has been
sent to the legislature this year.
81 look upon this bill as class legis-
latiOn within the meaning of our con-
stitution and l believe it to be wrong
in principle because it does not offer
equal opportunities to the men who
have rendered a like service" contin-
ued the governor in his veto. eff we
are to think of the educational needs
of our young men we cannot avoid the
conclusion that the boy who left
school when he was in the sixth grade
or who had merely the advantages of
a country school needs the additional
educational opportunities far more
than the young man who has had the
privilege of going through a high
school or similar institution of learn
ing.
1T is no answer to say that he who
chooses to accept the privilege will
forfeit some other bonus that is TO be
given by the state. The largest
amount that will be paid by the state
to any soldier who has served tive
years (Which is practically the maxi
muTI term of service) will be $240, il
the bill which will be referred to the
people will become law. Under the
provisions of this bill the soldier may
attend college for a term of four years
and receive $1.0S0 from the state.
do not wish to stand in the way
Of this educational privilege which tho
legislature seeks to give the soldier
recognize it as a gift that the soldier
can neither lose nor squander, one that
will he helpful to him during the "a
mainder of his life and | am sure he
will appreciate 1t more than-any other
donation that the state can make tC
him. However, if the state is going
to grant this privilege it should be eX'
tended to all who wish to take adj
vantage of it. regardless of their edu'
cational qualifications. If that is done
the soldier must necessarily resume
his education where he left off when
he quit school and that situation nee.
essarily raises some new questions
which the legislature, in my Judgment
must meet
The age of the soldier and sailor
ranges from II to 45. No doubt many
who would wish to take advantage OF
the offer would find it necessary to &c
into the grades that are attended
largely. if not entirely, by boys and
girls under the age of Is. We cannot
reasonably expect that the men who
have rendered military service would
wish to share the school room with
young children. nor would it be practi-
cal that they do so from the stand
point of the school. 1t seems to me
that to fairy carry out this proposed
educational privilege provision should
be made for special schools for these
men. in order TO give them a reason
able opportunity to secure the full
benefit of the peoples generosity.
''No inquiry has been made and no
one seems to know how many men
would take advantage of this bill as ii
is now written: nor has any investi-
CATION been made, so far as am able
to learn. to determine how many of
this class of students can be accom-
uodated at the university or other in
situations named with the instruc-
tional staff that the appropriations
made TO these institutions will permit
them to employ. The entire scheme is
a step in the dark and II seems to me
that the first thing 70 ascertain is the
number that propose to avail them
selves of this opportunity.
There are other Questions in con-