Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-22
A Bio Question for Congress.


An amendment offered. Monday, by
Senator Ashurst Of Arizona. to the
administration bill appropriatins
500. 900 for food relief in Europe.
provides that every soldier sailor
and marine be given bonus OF six
months pay and his uniform upon
discharge Its consideration was de-
ferred.
When this question comes up for
discussion We may expect strong ar
guments on both sides. 1t is a
proposition of tremendous possibil!-
ties and is sure to arouse opposing
convictions. SO far as we are con-
cerned We confess 10 a feeling that
tins country has thus far failed, dis
mally failed. 10 deal justly and in n
generous spirit of gratitude to the
sons who have given or have offered.
ALL for II Other nations have beat
en- us to fragile in meeting their obl-
cations to their gun fodder
We are not saving this in spirit
q partisan fault finding. for Con-
gross has been as slow as has been
fh' administration in awakening to
It's obvious duties. All over this
great. rich land OF ours are pitiful
Eases OF injustice, neglect, and ac-
Oh ~ ha hoe ted
mot moment in throwing over all
N, plans and results of years OF
study and fitting for life work in pro-
f"Ssion or business. 10 grab a gun
and submit TO any hardship or sacri-
hcc demanded by the country's de-
tense or Europes rescue.
Boys turned loose in a strange city.
Tar from home. without money and
without comfortable or even respect
able clothing is pretty severe in
dictment against nation engaged in
tho task Of making the world a better
place in which TO live. Yet that
claim is putting the case mildly. Con-
gressmen are hearing from thousands
Of instances which. in the aggregate,
constitute lasting blot upon the
country.
on. yes: We have heard all about
the chap who would Immediately en-
bark upon a grand "toot," with his
bonus. and then be as badly stranded
rs the government leaves him after it
has used and dropped him. But that
argument does not count with fair
minded, thinking Americans. AS a
people We would rather be taken in
Ly ten rowdies than have one clean
honest. loyal lad suffer such neglect
and injustice.
OF course it is a big question:
That is precisely what we said at the
start. but are there not brains enough
In Congress to create a system oy
which our enlisted and conscript sons
may be started on a fair footing in
the scramble of readjustment, in
stead Of being dropped like cold
potato?
On the other hand. there is the
great expense. even at six times 1913 a
month for the privates. and reckon
Ing the officers at the same rate
$500 each for four million men
~hcw: Eight hundred million dol
lars is quite some little drain on the
country's revenue. but does anybody
In the administration or Congress
know of class more deserving:
II We can appropriate hundreds OF
millions for European destitutes. We
tan provide for the boys who saved
Europe from n ten times worse fate
suppose the war had gone on for
another year. we would not only have
J.; TO PAY these millions of soldiers
and sailors for II months. but feed
them and furnish medicines and hos
pital attendance. and SO on-and
would have had to contribute in flair
profits" to contractors and concerns
on government orders. more than the
pay Of our millions Of soldiers.
Are the cost plus fellows to get
a"ay with billions and the boys who
did the business receive the cold
shoulder and pauperism'
We believe II is time tor Congress
I" wake up. II they fail to act now
the Republicans Of this country will
can upon their party to act after
March I. and If the President fails ia
'a'i the Congress in extraordinary
>es ion. then SO much the worse for
tic record of the administration.
We are convinced that if President
Wilson had remained at home on the
job there would have been an "ad-
ministration measure" for the benefit
Of discharged American soldiers and
sailors. as well as for European VIC
TINS Of war. For they are OUR vic
Tins of war" and arc not to be ex-
plotted for the benefit of waste land
SPECTATORS in TIE West or South.
Give them a start in their odd home
towns" and let the local boards dis.
charge them there and not a thou
sand miles from homo Give .h.,,