The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1920-12-31

letter written to the Miami Her
aid under date of Dec. 18th. II
is a manly, self respecting thor
oughly American stand and we
recommend it's consideration by
those who are inclined to want
to see this tipping scheme &c
through. Joseph Gray Kitchell
former Major, U. S. Army.
writes:
1t is the conviction of the
writer that a million or more
who have been permitted the
great privilege of serving their
country as soldiers during the
World War, share his belief that
the acceptance of any further
monetary recognition would tend
to belittle that service.
ITO many of us, discharged
from the U. S. army, the plea of
former Commander D'Olier of
the American Legion and the
efforts of certain vote-hunting
politicians in the urge of a
special premium amounting to
hundreds of millions of dollars
in further recognition of volun-
tary and compulsory service is a
humiliating spectacle, non-rep-
resentatibe of the larger group
and far removed from it's ap-
prevail.
"As one of this latter group
and repeating the expressions of
others with whom | have talked,
/ protest against any organized
movement that seeks to degrade
such service by attempts to herd
and drive discharged soldiers to
a trough to gorge on unclean
food-to commercially trade up
on the virtue of duty done.
1.-TWO dictionary definitions of
the word Legion are 'togather'
and to collect. Having gather
ed for service is it now signifi-
cantly in order to collect?
Few citizens who entered the
soldiers who are willing to work
and able to work are now with
out paying occupation and all
who have it ought not to want
and should not accept any
premium or bonus but all who
are incapacitated or truly need
help should be given to wisely
and literally.
Others should be parties in
these attempts to wrest service
separation alimony from their
fellow citizens, already in the
tolls of excessive taxation, in
dustrial disturbances and intem-
perate socialism.
Few Citizens who entered the
army as emergency soldiers did
so with any more expectation of
dollar reward than village dwell
lers who responded to the call
to extinguish the fire in the town
hall. All of us were fed, cloth
ed, sheltered, paid and minister
ed unto while helping to help
our united selves.
THE bonus given discharged
commissioned officers was too
little and too much and | know
of few who would have accepted
1T had it been optional. No
truly American soldier is looking
for a tip
why this unholy zeal to force
a measure to diminish in any
degree the higher satisfaction
that comes from having done
for the sake of doing? Why fix
a miserable material appraise-
ment upon something so fine and
beautiful as devotion and sacri-
flee for the national home and
family?
I'm short, why smirch the
service record by bargainings for
the pour boire? 1t isn't wages
nor aims and it should not be
reward. 1t is just a tip and as
such is un-American and mean.
But, if it has to be. then |
suggest that the Legion be divid-
ed into two chapters and that
the distinguishment be indicated
upon the records of the Ad- |
iutant-GeneraPs office and the
insignia"
The anti saloon leaders are
much concerned over the hard |
cider ruling by Atty Gen. Pal
mer. He ruled that the use of |
cider in the home by its manu-
facturer, even after it has be-
come intoxicating by fermenta-
ton, is lawful. The Anti Saloon
leaders say this does not affect
the thirty-eight states where
laws prohibiting the making of