The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1919-05-22
kENOsHA's PART s196,O35
Councils of Defense To Be Asked TO
Take Charge of Raising Great volun-
tary Gift To SHOW Appreciation of
Work Done BY wisconsin Men.

war or was drafted or enlisted for such
participation to be rewarded with
/ a gift of $1,000 for every month in
service or minimum of $50.
The gift will be from the people of
the state and is to be available by
means Of one final patriotic drive for
voluntary contributions in every coun-
| ty, most probably to be conducted as
the final act of the county defense
councils under direction of the state
council of defense.
/ The total sum to be derived by pop
ular subscription will be 81 ,538, 1929
distributed among the counties on a
basis Of So per thousand of assessed
valuation. Another sum of 100000 is
to be made available from the state Is
general fund for the comfort Of wound
ed soldiers during their period Of con-
valescence to be administered by the
adjutant general.
Such are the main points in a long
report to the legislative joint finance
committee by its subcommittee appoint
ed to determine the best means of leg
/ islation for soldier bonuses. Bills by
Senators Pullen, Cunningham, and Nye
| for soldier bonuses, introduced early
in the session, were found impractica-
BILE and unconstitutional because the
state Of armistice did not permit the
issuance of bonds by the state under
he provision permitting such bond is
sue for defense Of the state s borders.
| The subcommittee, composed of Sen
ators A. II. Wilkinson, Theodore Ben
/ FEY and Claire B. Bird and Assembly
men Carl Kurtenacker and T. S. Nolan
today recommended the preparation of
q bill creating a board consisting of
the governor, the adjutant general and
/ chairman of the state council of de-
Tense, to be known as the service rec
ognition board, - and to have charge
and control Of statewide plan for
Iraising the money for adequate soldier
Bonuses and for discussing it.
| The committee further recommends
that a board should adopt a procedure
for receiving voluntary contributions
through the state council of defense.
The contributions are to be sufficient
to assure each Wisconsin citizen in the
army or navy, including nurses, q sum
amounting to so for each month Of
service with minimum of $50. The
board is to adopt rules for disburse-
ment, the state treasurer shall be Gus
todian of the fund and sums paid out
upon warrant signed by the attorney
general. The expense Of administra-
ton shall be borne out Of appropria-
tons for the state board used in the
administration of the fund.
| 1t is further recommended that the
board shall cause to be delivered to
each beneficiary, in addition to the
money, an engraved certificate stating
in proper language the state IS appre-
citation of his or her service, authenti-
Gated by the great seal of the state Of
Wisconsin.
Much of the remainder of the com
mittee s report is devoted to the bar
riers confronting it in efforts to devise
ways and means of raising funds con-
stitutionally, and to the opinion of the
attorney general confirming the follow
ing propositions:
First, the state may levy a tax
only for public purpose. Whether,
under our decisions, the payment Of
sums to Wisconsin citizens, in recogni-
ton Of their services to the nation, is
public purpose is very doubtful. The
constitutionality Of such an act could
only be definitely settled by final de-
cision of our supreme court
Second, any further tax levy would
be revocable by a subsequent legisla-
ture, any attempt to make it irrevoca-
BILE, on behalf of persons who would
advance money on the strength of it,
would be pledging the credit of the
state and violating the constitution.
! Third, the state has no power to
issue any bonds, Grip or evidence of in
Indebtedness adequate for this purpose. =
/
The committee adds: SsThese legal
propositions are confirmed by the ex-
ecutive counsel and by the unanimous
Iopinion of other distinguished lawyers
over the state who have been consulted.
There is no question that the attorney
general states the law as favorably to
the project as any lawyer can consci-
entious do.
HAny practical plan calls for ex-
Ipenditure Of not less than ten millions
of dollars and probably fifteen millions.
This could only be raised by a. substan-
tial tax levy of very doubtful legality
and spread over a considerable number
cf years. If we should attempt such
plan it would NOT make money immedi-
ately available and the first install