Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1920-01-23
FERRIS CALLS
REPUBLICANS
PLACES THE BLAME WHERE IT Is
AND URGES THE q. q. y. TO GET
busy AND PASS Much NEEDED
LEGISLATION For SOLDIERS.

Congressman Scott Ferris of Okla |
homa has called the hands of the Re |
publicaus who are delaying legislation |
in behalf Of returned soldiers, He is
demanding action on measures for the !
relief they need.
The Mondeil bill. relating to lands |
for returned soldiers. was reported tn
the Home by committee August !, 1919.
and for over five months II has been
on the calendar without action Num-
crous other bills affecting soldiers have
not received House action.
"The Republican party is in control
of both branches of Congress" Mr.. Fer
ris said in IA speech in the House the
other day. "The Republican party has
power to enact laws. The minority
can only urge, implore and entreat the
Republicans to act. | this day do urge
you to act. ! implore you to act.
entreat you to act. 1t is your move.
Since the armisticc was signed. Mr.
Ferris said. 4,35O,00O men have been re-
turned to private life. Congress has
made provision that each should receive
"a bonus of 10000 in addition to salary
and regular emoluments: but. said Mr.
Ferris, "he has received no homestead
legislation, no land settlement legisla-
tion, no soIdier-lien legislation to en-
able him to acquire home and re-es-
tablish himself"
Because the Mondell bill provides for
the colonization of eX-soldiers. not per-
mitting them to choose the community
or the State in which they want to live.
Mr.. Ferris said the bill is not approved
by majority of the ex-service men
II do not say that some soldiers are
not in favor of the Mondell bill" he
said but / do say that the great bulk
of the soldiers both in massed conven-
tion and individually, are strongly and
vigorously opposed to 1t. They do not
desire any colonization scheme for the
development of the West. They do not
desire to remove from their native
States and their localities or be forced
to do so in order to avail themselves
of the Government land legislation.
These soldiers want the right to
have loan from their Government
long tenure. low rate of interest. under
proper restrictions and regulations
They do not want something for moth
ing. They want the right to buy a
home of their choice. in the town or in
the country, and be given chance
to pay for it. thereby becoming inde-
pendent, self-reliant home owners. free
from the speculative features incident
to any colonization scheme or venture
along the lines of the Mondell bill"
. Ferris urged action on the bill in
some form or other. He urged action
on a resolution he introduced last Oc-
tober providing for the appointment
E of & committee of 21 to whom he re-
81 ferrel all measures relating to the re-
turned soldiers.
Speaker Gillette ought to appoint
a committee" he said. "The committee
ought to begin hearings. 1t ought to
report bill. A bill ought to be passed
that will give the 4,350.OO0 soldiers
relief and the opportunity to acquire
homes.
ITO do less than this is to subject
this Congress to criticism. To do less
il to neglect the soldiers, and l submit
that no country can well afford to neg
lect it's soldiers. TO do less is to scatter
disappointment throughout the coun-
try. To do less is to fail to do wha'
you promised to do while seeking Of
4 flee, thing no party should tolerate
N thing no congressman should endure.