The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-03-03
ATTACKS THOSE
OPPOSING BONUS
Ex-SoIdiers Still Wear Army
Coats While CenSorS Don
Fur-Lined Ones.
VETERAN MAKES DI rh
Only Asks Compensation for
What Men Lost 'Ingrati-
tude of Republics" Again.

Washington, March 3-Failure of
congress to provide a bonus or other
recognition for the former service
men was classed today as one of
the "ingratitudes of republics" by
Edward H. Hale, representative of
the veterans of foreign wars of the
United States, before the house ways
and means committee having charge
of war bonus. legislation.
Receptions given to us when we
returned from France now stand out
in their emptiness" Hale declared.
Hale scored those opposing the
granting of bonus on the grounds
that "the careers of such self-ap-
pointed censors of patriotism and
commercialized patriotism are nota-
bly, filled with pacific patriotism
which did not proQpt them to go
overseas.
"In considering this legislation you
must consider that the man who
went overseas did not get the high
war salaries which makes it pos
sible for those who remained in civil
life to have their fur lined overcoats
and 'fiivers' while the service men
are still wearing their service over
coats to keep warm"
Two plans for bonus were outlined
by Hale. They were:
1. Bonus of $50 a month for
each month of service.
2. Opportunity to purchase a
home on money lent by the gov.
ernment at a proper interest fee
!, and secured by the property pur-
chased.
you cannot pay the veterans Of
the world war for what they did.
We ask you to recompensate them
in some measure for what they lost"
Hale explained.
ktchin Objects.
'How could the money be raised
for this bonus?" asked Representa-
tive kitchin. democrat, of North
Carolina. There is a public debt of
$4,000, 100000 now"
"Our plan," said Hale, would be
TO tax all incomes above $50,000 at
the rate of per cent. graduating
that until per cent. would be
charged on incomes above $1000,00O.
This would provide $500 0000,0 900, ac-
cording to the internal revenue bu-
reau."
Some of the alleged economics
practiced by this congress is a
crime" the witness said, whereupon
Mr.. Kitchin remarked that "the eco
nomics of this republican congress
surely is crime"
Lip Appreciation Only.
Hale said Zip appreciation and
nothing moreT had been extended to
discharged soldiers. These men,
he declared, "have been turned back
to civilian life with sixty pieces of
silver and they have been brought
face to face with the ingratitude of
the republic. The only wonder is
that they have stood so long the apa-
thetic attitude of congress"
Members of congress received back
pay when they We're discharged from
the army and returned to the house,
he said, adding that others were
equally as deserving as eX-soldier
congressman.
Storm of Protest.
Charges that Franklin DOlier,
commander of the American Legion,
"misstated facts" to the committee
were made today by Hale.
The remark caused a storm of pro-
test among the members of the COM
mittee, which was discontinued only
when Chairman Fordney declared
order must be maintained or we
viii quit these hearings"
Hale said the erroneous state
ments should be contradicted.
Representative Treadway repub-
lican, of Massachusetts. declared the
committee should not permit criti-
cisDl of the American Legion because
of "rivalry existing between the va
rious organizations"
I'VE must permit criticism If we
are to get anywhere" Representative
Garner, democrat, of Texas, declared
Several Left Room.
The argument caused several COM
mitteemen to leave the room. They
were recalled by Chairman Fordney
and order was restored
Hale suggested tax of , per cent
on incomes of $4,000 and graduated
TO per cent. for incomes of $1,000,
900 and over as a means of raising
the money to meet the bonus.
Representative Longworth, repub-
lican. of Ohio, asked if the Foreign
War Veterans association was for a
fiat $50 a month with no additional
grant for foreign service.
II would recommend a 800 addi-
tional bonus for overseas service and
exempt men who's served less than
two months from the provisions OF
the act because they have received
S60," Hale explained.
Il would fix a minimum grant OF
s240."