The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1920-04-15
Bill For Relief OF
E-Service Men

Howard Burton of Wray. .McKinstry
post has placed upon the desk of the
writer statement sovering the chief
features of measure presented to
Congress by the national legislative
committee of the American Legion
for the relief of ex-service men of
the army and navy. which they hope
ia have enacted into law. The bill
provides for fous-foId optional plan
OF relief either of which 1t is under
stood. would be satisfactory to it's
beenficiaries, although individual pref
erences vary greatly as to which is
the better one
The first feature is land settle
ment act covering all states and pro
viding specifically for the arid lands
of Colorado and other lands under
various irrigation projects already in
preparation in this section of the
West This land settlement feature
provides that 4 man may apply at any
{ time within 10 years after the pas
| sage of the act and be given $3.50
for each day he was in the service as
a first payment upon a farm. Further
more he may borrow from the govern
metn up 10 60 per cent, or $1,000. for
equipment to be placed on and for use
on the farm In addition to this he
may borrow up TO rs per cent of the
Yalue of the stock purchased for use
on the farm. The balance due on the
land may be paid for in amortizing
payments over a period of not more
than 80 years at AZ per cent inter
est The amount OF his loan for stock
and equipment is likewise to be paid
off at valuable term at 4 per cent
interest The bill specifically pro-
yides that ex-serYice men are to be
employed in the construction OF these
irrigation projects, thereby not only
acquainting them with the land that
they may take up, but enabling them
70 earn an amount sufficient to aid
them in becoming settlers thereon
The second provision OF the bill is
to the effect that 50 a day will be
given for each day a man was in the
service. TO be applied as first pay
ment on a city or urban home. There
upon the governments obligation to
the ex-service man or woman would
cease. The balance Of the money
necessary TO purchase the home could
easily be procured through a bank or
loan association The extra so cents
given for aech day in the military or
naval service. in this part of the bill.
in the minds OF the members OF the
committee. cqualizes the benefit re
ceived under the governments loan
provisions in section ].
The third pros sion of he bin Is to
the effect that each man VIII be given
vocational training for period equal
to the period OF his service During
this training he would receive s1.5o
a day, the government paying for mis-
tuition and books This part OF the
bill was designed to accommodate
those who desired educational advan-
tages. rather than the material ad-
vantage maintained under the farm
and home features OF the bill
The fourth provision OF the bill pro
vides for a cash adjusted compensa-
tion at the rate of sl.50 for each day
in the service this taking the place
Of the $50 bond. which was proposed
. ne ways ana MtanS committee OF
the House Of Representatives recos.
niges the obligation OF the government
TO do something OF constructive ma
ture 10 put the eX-soldier and sailor
back into civilian life on the same
basis he was when he left it TO fight
the battles OF his country. but how to
best accomplish this very beuefeent
purpose is difficult to determine.
The American Legion is conduct,
ing an educational campaign through
its posts In various parts OF the coun-
/ try TO instruct the men ooneerning
the benefits Of the bill While eN-
service men hope that action will be
taken by Congress on measure OF
this character within 30 days. they
are writing TO their congressman and
/ senators urging immediate eonsidera.
ton OF remedial legislation.
I'M