Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-03-12
BONUS IN CASH
WINS FAVOR OF
EX-SERVICE MEN
American Legion Members
Widely Differ, Though, on
Character of Award.

While Tndlana's senator's appear to he
at variance on the soldier ho6us ques-
tlon. reports to the national headquar-
ters Of the American legion indicate that
a majority OF eG-serytce men over the
country favor a cash bonus award.
Just what should be included in the
award, however. seems to be "the big
ISSUE" scores Of sums ana methods ot
financially assisting the ex-seryice men
having been suggested over the country
Some posts favor the ideaIist stand
OF mo bonus: other posts have gone
on record favoring a bonus Of so fol
each month Of military service: money
lending plans have been approved, and
individuals have insisted upon adjust
Tent OF only certain cases OF needy
e1 service men.
Horace II. HGSan, state commander
OF the Oklahoma American legion in
opposing the $50 bonus plan. declares
II IS not right fundamentally.
Let every soldier put something into
the government now as ne did In the
war on a basis Of patriotism; and let us
not feel thet now is the time 10 gouge
something out OF the government" Com
mauder Hagan says.
VIEWS OF NEW
AND WATSON.
legion, Richmond. Ind. asked Senator's
Watson and New for their views on the
bonus question. In letters received By
the post Senator New leads the former
service men 10 believe some profitable
arrangement" will be made for them.
while Senator Watson tells them Of the
seriousness Of the financial condition OF
the nation and speaks dubiously OF the
bonus project
Here Is Senator News letters
"Thers have been 30 many different
suggestions made Of late as 20 what par
ticuIar shape or form this assistance
shall assume that have not reached a
decision as 10 exactly which plan viii he
really most profitable for the former
service man.
II am glad TO have your letter and I
assure you I shall give my best atten-
ton and sincere consideration 70 this
matter. Nearly all appropriation bills Of
this character, as you know. are origi-
mated IN the house and the senate does
not always have a really constructive
say until they have first passed the
house"
Senator Watson's reply IN part follows
zone serious difficulty Is the fact that
our country's finances are at the present
time in most unhappy state. The gov
ernment faces deficit on July 1 Of
three billion dollars IN operating eN-
penses. This deficit can be met only by
the most drastic cut In all government
expenses. II additional bonus Is to be
granted by the government It IS the feel
Ing Of the secretary Of the treasury that
an Issue Of additional bonds is the only
method Of meeting this expense. If the
government makes another bond issue,
such action will Of course adversely af-
feet the Eve series Of war bond issues
row outstanding"
ASKS $50 FOR
EACH MONTH.
The Melchion NJ. Eberts post No. 1,
Little Rock, Ark. after heated debate,
went on record favoring the $50 bonus
for each month of service.
The Chicago Elevated post No. 1S4 has
officially insisted that financial loans
should be made by the government to
soldiers to buy homes, IS per cent of the
membership voting favorably on this
plan. Twenty per cent Of this post mem
bership expressed itself favorable to n
cash or bond option, and only 8 per cent
held out for educational assistance from
the government.
Allan Brown, Montclair, N. Y, as an
idealist asserts: "A real patriot who
fought in the war can not truthfully say
that his government owes him money,
and a strong. healthy man should be
ashamed of himself to appeal to his gov
ernment for aid when there Is plenty of
work to be done right Mt his front door"
"R. N. c." of New York City puts in.
"As you were, comrades" He argues
that aid should be given only to those
soldiers who need financial Assistance.
"The provision for the bonus awards" +"
(COntiAufd on Page ThfrfRNnl