The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-05-22
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
TO BENEFIT SOLDIERS
CONGRESS sWAMPED BY
FLOOD.
Revocation of Court Martial
Sentences and Increase
of Bonus.

Washington, May 22.-Congress al
ready is swamped with bills designed
to aid the soldiers.
Although the Sixty sixth congress has
completed but three legislative days,
there have been nearly a hundred bills
and resolutions presented in both
houses which are aimed to benefit those
who were in the military or naval serv-
ice during the war with Germany.
Increased bonuses for service men
and revocation of all court-martial SEN
tences and fines are the outstanding
provisions made for the benefit of SOL
diers and sailors in most OF the bills
already presented to congress.
Increased bonus bills appeared to be
doomed to failure at the present time
however. There was a general feeling
among members Of congress that the
great majority of men who served do
not want any gift from the govern
meEt, and they base this conclusion on
the action OF the convention OF the
American Legion recently held in st.
Louis. which unanimously voted down
a proposal to seek increased bonus
money.
The bills which provide for additional
bonuses run from $500 bonus TO
bonus OF $500. Debts of the nation al
Itdu4 are 100 DlBI " dllOW lHtltdEth
bonuses. many members OF congress de
clare, although they are careful not to
be quoted in such statements. Those
VINO are urging the enlarged bonuses
argue that congress has provided for
the farmer by fixing a profitable price
for wheat and that it is as fair that
discharged soldiers and sailors should
be given fms ncial aid.
Revocation of court martial sentences
and fines seems likely of passage. by
mo tNFiti 40
with probable revision of the military
court laws under the articles of war,
and II already has the support of many
republicans who have been Interested IN
the recent court martial controversy in
the war department.
one soldier organization, the Private
Soldiers and Sailors Legion. has al
ready submitted legislative demands to
congress. This program includes an m
creased bonus, employment for soldiers
on public works, preference ror soldiers
in civil service positions, revocation Of
court martial findings and repeal OF
luxury taxes.
The American Legion. the largest SOL
der organization which has yet been
formed. has not presented a legislative
program. Members OF congress have
been notified, however, that the orGani-
zation viii have a legislative program
which will call not for legislation which
affects service men to so great degree
as it viii call for constructive legisla-
ton. Already this organization has
gone on record as demanding strict leg
islation to wipe out boshevism. and 1t
Is believed that when its legislative pro
gram is finally arranged 1t will follow
along such lines.
Land grants for soldiers and sailors
by congress seem to be assured now.
although n is probable that such leg
islation viii he delayed for some time.
Amendments OF the war risk insurance
act to give great benefits to those who
are concerned by this act are already
in congress and likely to be adopted.
Possibilities of pension legislation
cropping out despite the provisions OF
tho war risk insurance act were inlcr-
estlng many members Of congress to-
day.