The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1920-03-25
EX-SERVlcE MEN AND BONUS.
CLewiston Tribune)

(LeWistOn Tribune)
The soldier opposition expressed
at the hearing before the house ways
and means committee at Washington
on the application of the national Of
ficers of the American Legion for a
per capita bonus to all ex-service men
numbering over three and one-half
millions, is shared by various posts of
the legion. A resolution adopted by
one such post puts it "on record as
opposing any additional bonus for the
able-bodied discharged soldiers, sail
ors and marines, and has requested its
representative in congress to oppose
any such measure, on the ground that
it would cheaper the character Of the
service rendered in France" The in
dications are, and the country gener-
ally both believes and hopes, that this
declaration expresses the feeling, not
only Of most of the posts of the Am
erican Legion, but an overwhelming
majority of the men who were called
into the service. The members Of the
American Legion have it in their
power to exert an imemnse influence
in the political affairs of this cOun-
try, but they would impair that pow
er, almost to the point of extinction,
if the country should be allowed to
suspect that they sought to capitalize
their patriotism. The country needs,
and will long need, as an influence in
its political affairs and in its other re-
lations the spirit which animated the
service men in France, and it can i'll
afford to have this influence destroy
ed or weakened. 1t now constitutes
a salutary force which is one of the /
compensating legacies of wars desc
lations and CONGRATULATIONS The /
country does not begrudge generous |
treatment of those soldiers who have
been disabled 1t will. on the con-
-rary, command it. But it will not
ook with favor on the voting of lar
sesse to millions of young men who
lave reentered civil life with their
natural abilities to make their way
lndiminished even enhanced No ,
nan who wore the UNIFORM Of his
ountrv worthily in France will relish /.
he idea which would make a parasite
nut Of him.
Comparat vely few of the ex-ser- t
ice men can be in the slightest need 9
+ public relief The vast majority Of s
hem belong to good families which
ither need the services of their sons O
r which provide other opportunities d
Dr. desirable careers. Many of these c
Dung men have names and places in I
leir own right in business life. There o
lust be only an inconsequential min C
rity numerically who have been left
eedy, or broken morally and socially,
y reason of their military service. 1t
this numerically small element.
nall element. there is no reason to
oubt. that is being used as examples
II making demands in the name of
lie entire national army and which
lie army as a whole allows to go un-
lallenged out of a spirit Of cOmrade- e,
Zip and fraternity. But the question n,
r the service men to answer in the a,
st analysis, is whether their loyalty m
due to their country and to them &C
Ives, or to this element which APP pr
rently is unrepresentative of the be
hole. Meantime, it is a hard prop pr
ition that is being put up to con- so
ess. The country must either be it,
xed severely to meet these new de- co
lnds. or the national legislators wc
ist face certain amount of un-
pularity and opposition for stand
: out against them It is a time sci
len the public should show some Del
interest in politics. If it emf
lily has any, rather than confne its be
icitude. its energy and its appeals sys
the election Of one or another fav
te and trimmer to paltry Office as \
sole interest in the business. OF the are
eminent. tar