Evening journal., 1920-04-15
PLAN HEARING ON
Soldier BONUS
Would Learn Sentiment on
Cash Distribution and
Memorial Hall
DOWN-STATE MEN
FAVOR MONEY GIFT
stan Correspondent

Staff Correspondent
STATE HOUSE. Dover. April i5.-Tc
give former service men living do~r
The State an opportunity 70 appear be-
fore the Legislature and express their
views as 10 whether or not they prefer
a cash bonus or a memorial hall, ac-
ton was deferred yesterday afternoon
on Representative Lyons bill providing
for such a hall 10 be crested Ia VIII
mington. This bill which is backed by
Delaware Post OF the American Le-
sion OF Wilmington with a membership
OF 200, provides for an appropriation OF
$4,000 by the State when Wilmington
makes like appropriation. Backers OF
the Dill in a hearing before the Legls-
lature last week stated that II waS
their idea should the bill go through
20 try TO raise 100000 in addition 10
the 100000 and have erected a 81 Oo0.-
600 building as a memorial for the for
mer service men and which could also
be used as a home for the American
Legion, convention han and as head
quarters for community activities. The
land, IL was minated. would be given
by the Park Commission Of The city.
That the Legislature will not recess
before some time next week was inti-
mated during discussion over this bill
When II was suggested that action be
def ferred there was talk OF fixing IL Is a
special order for next Monday after
noon, but Representative McNabb stat
cd he would probably ask for action
on his soldiers bonus bill that day. II
was not fixed as a special order for any
day. but will be called up when Repre-
sentative Hastings of Laurel. who made
the suggestion can get the former SER
vice men who arc Interested 10 Do
yer.
Mr.. Lyons IN calling up the bill ex-
planned that there had been a lengthy
hearing on IL and therefore all
The members were fam liar with lls
intni. lie thought II would be a great
thing 10 provide such a memorial hall
Representatives McNabb and Null
vena stated they would prefer TO sec
action taken first oD the bonus bill,
but would also support the Lyons
Dill. Mr.. Muly'na said former SER
vice men with whom he had talked IA
yOred the individual bonus.
representa- Hastings said all the
former service men in bis locality IA
vored the bonus bill II anything is go
ing 70 be done for the service men but
are not especially keen even for that.
He had III o,erA 10 read the follow
inc letter from c. n. Benson. com.
mander OF Laurel Post No. 9, which has
membership OF i55:
Laurel, Del, April SO, 1920.
Mr Harvey w. Hastings,
Laurel, Del.
Dear Sir: The attached list con-
tains the names OF those men from
Laurel and vicinity who were In The
service, and also. those from Delmar
as near as 7 could get them.
The majority OF these men are mem
oeFs OF our American Legion Post here
and as commander OF the Post ! have
talked 10 them several times regarding
bonus legislation affecting The ex-ser-
vice men. With regard 10 the State
bonus. It Is the unanimous opinion thai
whatever the bonus may be, 10 should
be made as real 10 the man from the
country crossroads as tO the man in
the larger cities, and 10 your consider
alton OF such bill. therefore, we ask
that you endeavor 10 have whatever
the bonus amounts TO, given direct To
the soldier. not 10 put in some one or
two buildings that the most OF us
would never see. much less enjoy It's
privileges.
After coming out OF the SERVED a
number OF our men borrowed money
from the banks to help them start on
their own hook, and would appreciate
a bonus much more II 10 were TO help
them pay bach what they owed, than
any other way.
AS regards an American Legion Home.
The kind OF a home that cur boys
are interested In Is a place where they
can drop In after supper and spend a
Few hours, and Were the bonus given
direct 10 them I believe they would
each be willing 10 give a part Of n for
the equipment and maintenance OF sunh
a room here In town. Most certainly
an American Legion Home in VIII
mington would mean nothing 10 them.
The fact that one post IN Whining
ton with over 20o0 members Is en-
desvOring 70 have this home erected in
Wilmington, does not necessarily rep
resent The sentiment Of the down-State
men who did their part in this war the
same as the Wilmington chap. Some
OF US saw real action in France and II
we were able to hold down a mans
job at Chateau-Thierry and In the Ar
gonne. then NEST certainly we are
capable Of spending our own money.
and no matter how small 10 IS. we want
II down here where we can get The
benefit Of IT, You will certainly be do
Ing a real service TO your constituents
II you endeayor 10 see that their opin-
Iions and interests are looked after with
regard TO this bill.
Yours very truly.
G. n. BENSON,
Commander.
Laurel Post No. 9. American Legion.
Formerly ist lieut.. 18TH. Mach ne Gun