The Springdale news., 1919-02-28
SHOULD RETAIN HONORS

A bill was recently presented in Con- gress to abolish all distinctive stripes or chevrons worn by soldiers, gold stripe now designating that the Wearer saw ser vice overseas and the silver stripe indl- eating service on this side. It would seem that some of the "chair-Warmers, on this side wanted the rule abolished as they could not bear the thought of an or dinary doughboy wearing gold stripe while theirs was only silver When the matter was before the House last week Congressman 1'illman of this district of fered an amendment which would permit overseas soldiers to retain their gold chevrons, and, speaking in behalf of his amendment, among other things said:
 It strikes me that my amendment is somewhat in the nature of limitation on the appropriation At any rate 1 had hoped the point of order would not be made This amendment will settle the controversy satisfactorily
 Mr. Chairman let me present this mat ter at some length The military auth critics have provided by order that over- seas troops shall wear gold service stripes showing the length of service over there and indicating wounds received in battle, while soldiers that remained on this side must wear white stripes. Evidently the officers serving on this side are not satis- fled with these distinctive stripes and have, l assume, caused the Committee on Military Affairs to insert paragraph in the bill 10 abolish all distinctive service stripes or cheVrons. The original para graph is clearly subject to point of or der and will go out if the point is made, and shall make the point of order myself if the amendment which propose is not accepted and adopted
 My amendment in effect permits troops who have had service over seas to wear the gold cheyrons prescribed by the War Department. but leaves it optional as to wearing the white chevrons by troops who were denied the honor and privilege of serving abroad.
 Certainly we should not consent to the provision in the bill recommended and re- ported by the Committee on Military Al fairs abolishing all distinctive markings
 The gentleman from California Mr. kahnl, in advocating this proposition, said:
 The committee has seen fit to write into the proposed legislation a provision " iNiilONN etlI oCIflCt GllCNIOuS. " c have seen great many men walking our streets with silver chevrons and with gold chevrons. We hear great deal of talk in this country about democracy" All soldiers of the Republic, whether they were fortunate enough to go to France or whether they performed their duty in this country, should be treated alike.
 Did you ever hear of more amazing plea for democracy than this? Many crimes are committed in the name of H. berty, and now we have Member pro- posing to commit a crime in the name of democracy, The charge is often made that republics are ungrateful. That charge will be proven if the proposition advocated by the gentleman from Calif- ornia is written into the law. How un- just, how discriminating, how undemo cratic that would be. That doctrine. car rled to its logical conclusion, would mean no service ribbons, no gold cheyrons no medals, no honorable mention, no wound stripes. How democratic it would be 10 call out on the carpet the Members of tkis House who did real fighting oyer seas, she gentleman from Ohio. Capt. Heintz: l Peachy Pltpan from South Dakota. Nr
 ID ---l 'leman from New lmsley Tobacco Per lb--