The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1920-05-29
LEGION ASKS FOR NO BONUS
From Government in Overcoming
Financial Disadvantages.


lions now Occupying the attention of
the American Legion has to do with
the adjustment of compensation of the
ex-service man. and all the members
throughout the country have been ask
ed TO aid through their congressional
representatives in securing the enact.
ment OF the legion's bfli.
The bill which the legion Is ind0rs-
ing embraces: land settlement, where
by former service men and women
receive $1.5O for each day of service.
to apply on the purchase of land and
government projects. or loans for buy
Ing equipment: home aid. with 50 for
each day of service to apply on the
purchase Of a home or farm; voca-
tional training with $1.50 for each day
of service to be paid as long as the
recipients are obtaining education
from the government; or, a cash COM
pensatiOn Of S1.50 for each day of
service, to be paid within a year after
the approval of the bill.
Speaking In connection with what
| the national executive committee of
the American Legion regards as fair
| treatment for ex-service men as above
| outlined, Franklin D'Olier. national
commander of the American Legion
| said:
THE overwhelming majority Of ex
service men feel strongly that this gov
eminent owes an obligation TO all
persons who were handicapped either
bodily or financially because of mill
tary or naval service during the recent
war.
THE American Legion. representing
over one million ex-service men anC
women spoke very plainly on this poin
at its national convention last No
vember.
although this obligation to the dis
abled men. handicapped bodily, wa
universally acknowledged. 1t requires
special meeting of the American LIE
gion in Washington during December
over a year after the signing Of tn
armistice, to secure satisfactory &C
ton by congress for the disabled ma
to the end that he would no longer b
! an object of private charity but coul
live on his Increased compensation a
lowances.
THE average man has been out @
|. the service one year, and outside
the sixty dollars which hardly bougf
him a civilian outfit, he has receive
; no aid from his government in owe
coming the handicap incidental to h
service.
1.-The American Legion asks for r
bonus-wants no bonus. That SOUND
. too much like a gift or present fro
. the government. 1t merely asks tn
!. government to assist the ex-servit
man i'm overcoming some Of the final
: cial disadvantages incidental to b
military or naval service.
q st asks that each of the four fe
I lures suggested shall only be as Ii
n eral as Is consistent with the welfa
o of the whole country. The Americs
Legion asks nothing in its selfish
:. terests at the expense of the cOuntr
but at the same time does not fe
. that this obligation to ex-service mi
and women should be altogether pas
ed by at this time and all econom
:, ing done at the expense of the ex-ser
n ice men.
eff legislation is wisely framed &C
ering land settlement, home aid a
vocational training, every dollar
- vested by the government will bri
- ultimately great returns to the count
by making the ex-service man bet'
citizen and greater producer and "
increase the wealth Of the nation.
90 "Having waited over a year, 1t
not unreasonable to now expect Sol
=, action showing that the interests
the ex-service men have not been
- together forgotten.
IN "All that the American Legion al
L. Is as liberal treatment as Is consi
nd ent with the welfare of the WIN
ok country-legislation that Is fair to
hi ex-service man and at the same u
ne lust as fair to the entire nation
en- WELL"