The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1919-05-22
MANY BILLS
FOR RELIEF
Of SOLDIERS
Nearly One Hundred in
Three Days Are Filed in
Congress to Aid Men who
Have Been in France.
unrrRNArroNAl NEws sERYlcEl

INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERYfCEJ
WASHINGTON, May "a Congress
20 aid the soldiers.
Although the Sixty-sixth congress has
completed but three Legislative days.
there have been nearly one hundred bills
and resolutions presented in both houses
which are aimed to benefit those who
we're in the military or naval service
during the war with Germany.
Increased bonuses for service men and
revocation of all court martial sentences
and fines are the outstanding provisions
made for the beneht of soldiers and sail
OTIS in most OF the bills already pre-
ented to congress.
Increased bonus bills appeared TO be
doomed TO failure at the present time.
however. There was a general feeling
among member Of congress tina The
great majority OF men do not want any
gift from the government, and they base
this conclusion on the action of the con-
vention of the American Legion recently
held in St. Louis, which unanimously
voted down a proposaI TO seek increased
bonus money.
The bills which provide for additional
bonuses run from a 5000 bonus to a
bonus of $500. Debts of the nation are
already too high to allow increased
bonuses, many abe Of congress de-
clare. although they are careful not TO
be quoted in such statements Those
who are urging the enlarged bonuses ar
que that congress has provided for the
farmer by fixing a profitable price for
wheat and that il IS as fair that dis
charged soldiers and sailors should be
given financial aid.
Revocation of court martial sentences
ard fines seems likely of passage by
congress. This measure will be tied up
with probable revision Of the military
court laws under the articles of war. and
IT already has the supper of many
Republicans who have been interested In
the recent court martial controversy in
Inc war department
One soldier organization. the Private
Soldiers and Sailors Legion. has already
submitted its legislative demands to
con gress. This program includes an in
creased bonus, employment for soldiers
on public works. preference for soldiers
in civil service positions. revocation Of
court martial findings. and repeal of lux
Ury taxes.
The American legion. the largest SOL
dier organization which has yet been
formed, has not presented a legislative
program. Members of congress have
been notified. however. that the organi-
zation will have a legislative program
which will call not for legislation which
affects service men to so great a degree
as II will call for constructive legisla-
ton. Already this organization has gone
on record as demanding strict legisla-
ton to wipe out Bolshevism and it is
believed that when its legislative pro-
gram is finally arranged, it will follow
along such lines.
Land grants for soldiers and sailors
by congress seem 10 be assured now, al
though 1t is probable that such Iegisla-
tion will be delayed for some timo
Amendments of the war risk Insurance.
act to give great benefits to those who
are concerned by this act, are already
n congress and likely TO be adopted.
Possibilities of pension legislation
cropping out despite the provisions OF
he AYR risk insurance act were inter
sitting many members of congress today
On every hand It was apparent thai
members of both the house and senate
will proceed cautiously in any legisIa-
ion which concerns the soldier vote
until such a time as that vote has taken
definite form.