The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-03

the House OF Representatives today,
Congressman H. C. woodward intro
duced bill to provide a pension, at
the rate OF $50 month, for Samuel
A. Greeniee, OF Point Pleasant, W.
Va.
The members OF Congress are feel
ing the pressure OF demand from
the soldiers OF the world war and
their friends for bonus Of 81 day
or every day they served with the
colors at home and abroad. If 1t were
not on the eve OF a presidential cam
paign. the problem would be difficult
enough OF solution in view of the con-
tinuing treasury deficits and the huge
war debt that has been piled up.
There exists in Congress genuine
gratitude for the services rendered by
the soldiers, and a disposition 60
agree with their view OF It that the
United States has not done as gener-
ousiy by them as some OF the Allies
have done by their fighting men. But
Congress Is opposed 10 any additional
taxes and bond issues. and II Is esti-
mated that 1t would require from one
ito one+and-a-half billion OF dollars to
meet this additional bonus demand.
1t would mean still higher costs of liy-
ing. Congress granted the soldiers
ia $50 bonus doubtless believing that
that would be an end of i'll But, at the
same time, Congress gave civilian en-
ployes in the government service a
bonus OF $240. Representative Rain
ey's suggestion that a bond covering
the bonus due each soldier be issued
by the government, with or without
interest, nontransferable, redeemable
in two or three years be the methou
of financing this bonus demand If
granted, is being discussed with some
favor by the. members. 1t would be
cnsafe, at this time, TO predict what,
If anything, Congress may do with this
matter. But the pressure being
brought brought on 1t for favorable
action is strong one and getting
stronger right along.
Army Morale Shaken.
There is rumpus and friction in
army circles andffhe War Department
over the latter's policy of denoting
regular army officers who served in
the fields of France in the A. E. f.
and won promotions there for fine
work. These men came back without
commands and were met upon ar
rival with an order demoting them
and assigning them to various unim.
portant commands in the regular SER
vice. As result of this policy
number OF brigadier generals, who
were promoted with ceremonies on
the front for extraordinary ability
shown and valiant service performed.
are now serving as majors, under
youthful commanders frequently who
came out of West Point during the
war, who didn't get across, hut who
we're promoted rapidly, duo to con-
dltions which made commission cay
10 get by those who were ken; at
home. There Is a case of a brigadler-
general who broke" an incompetent
officer serving under him in France,
and ultimately had him sent home,
who is now serving as a major under
this deficient officer who is now a
colonel. There is another brigadier
general OF the A. E. F. who is now a
major under 1918 West Point gradu-
ate who is temporarily colonel in
command, but who is regularly a cap.
tain. The major has been in the army
for rs years. These are not isolated
cases, but are typical. 1t, cans readily
be seen how unfayorably this policy
has affected the morale Of the army );
A story going the rounds here that is
toeheyed is that this matter was the
subject OF stormy interview between
Secretary Baker and his favorite,
General March, who are responsible
for the policy, and General Pershing
Just prior to the latters departure on
his western inspection trip. 1t has 1t
that Gen. Pershing waxed wroth and
pounded the table to emphasize his
indignation over this injustice to the
officers who did the actual fighting.
The whole affair has now reached the
nails OF Congress In an informal way
l. Is liable to break out there on the
floor most any day.