The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-01
Injustice OF the Indiscrlmlnate
Bonus.

Injustice OF the Indiscrimlnat,
In behalf of the general bonus pro
posal to be voted on In this State to
morrow wounded survivor Of tn
war sends an argument which itsel
proves that the indiscriminate bonu
distribution ought to be defeated, no
passed. He says:
1.-THE people who shave suffered the
most are solid behind the bonus idea
because 1t Is the only solution which
has as yet been advanced to enable
US to go back into civil life as men.
Legislation which was introduced
at the last session of Congress to
help us was promptly killed--too
much expense
Our Insurance policies were sup
posed to cover total disability. Thou
sands of us were totally disabled as
a result of wounds received in action
for from two to two and half years,
and are still thus disa bled. but have
not received cent in payment, al
though the premiums were deducted
from our monthly pay for just such
protection.
I'VE asked for payment for total
disability for the period In which we
were incapacitated and upon dis
charge for a proportionate part of
the insurance depending upon our
disability. Our generous Congress
voted down this measure denying US
the benefits of insurance for which
we had paid and are still paying.
II will cite few cases with which
I am personally familiar: An ex-
corporal with an amputation above
the knee is receiving the princely sum
of SAG a month as compensation for
his injuryl
Another ex-soldier received s75
for the following disabilities: one OF
his hip joints was shot out. he has
wounds IN his stomach and the other
leg also has several bad scars. maxi
ing It impossible to walk without
crutches.
men who are permanently totally
disabled and cannot get about without
an attendant receive s17z5o. out Of
which they must pay ut least SIS q
week to the attendant, leaving s77.5O
on which to live.
II myself lost a leg and was dis
charged from the army in July. 1920.
but have as yet received no inkling
of what my permanent disability
will be. A little investigation would
disclose scores OF cases which are
receiving the same treatment. DO
you wonder we are backing the bonus
bill? Il. L. g."
This newspaper is heart md sou
for the fullest recompense, the mos
liberal assistance and the most ade
quate as well as prompt care for al
such war sufferers as &c. l.. O." de
scribes. This newspaper is for dolnl
everything that ought to be done Il
help others who may not have suf
fered SO fearfully as those described
by him yet who do need and deserv,
ample help. This newspaper believes
the people of New York are for tn,
same thing.
But handing out TO each of tn,
OF men and women thai
we're In the service for a brief inter
val q twenty dollar bill isn't going &,
set up anybody for life, whether hs
deserves to be set up by the State OF
not. Handing out to thousands Of
others even $3.50 each--the maximum
Of the indiscrlmlnate distribution un
der Proposition Number One--isn,
going TO do mitch of anything 10,
them. But II is going to take out OF
The State Treasury seventy to seventy
Eve millions of dollars. 1t Is going Il
use up to little or no purpose thi.
sum, scattered in driblets r.
that served anywhere at any
lime under any circumstances, wher
It might be used IN the proper way
10 great and good purpose.
II seventy TO seventy-five millIonl
ire to be spent by New York in rec
for war sacrifice. let tn,
money be spent on those that need
nelp ms r. L. q. needs 1t and MS HI
,ays others rsSd 1t. Let the seventy