Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1920-03-30

waste Of men or money. To withhold
a settlement is unjust and wasteful Of
the most precious manhood OF the ma
ton. The more service men that can
he made TO win a competence now, the
less win be paid out later In war PEN
sions. 1t isn't a matter Of charity !;
every civilized nation attempts TO take
care OF its war veterans, the obligation
being a mutual one.
But, II the bonus proposal doesn't
suit them, what form OF relief do they
propose? 1t Is not enough to level de-
structive criticism at the plans pro-
posed; substitute plans must be formu-
lated. Evidently the Headlight AMI
Life are against any sort of settlement.
II not the Graphic would like 10 know
what they propose.
To show the Snug selfishness and
lack Of logic on the part Of the writer
Of the article and the sad state Of the
intellect OF any person who wishes TO
give IL publicity, the Graphic reprints
II for the benefit of the service men Of
the community:
"The project for bonus endorsed
by the American Legion does not taste
good. The general plan is to distribute
two or three billion dollars to be raised
by taxation or bond issues to men and
women who served In the war. The
Legion has endorsed a porposal for
payment of $50 for each month Of serv-
ice, unless other specified forms Of re-
ward or assistance are preferred.
Other war socities have other plans,
and the ways and means committee Of
congress is to consider them all. The
prospect is pretty good for huge ap-
preparation for this purpose.
THE argument Is that the men who
went to the war had only moderate
pay, while those who stayed at home
and worked In shipyards or munltion
factories or at almost anything else,
got enormous wages, and that justice
to the soldiers demands that the money
they didn't earn by staying at home
should be made up TO them.
ut is a very novel suggestion. Why
does II stop with an estimate OF $50
to be given for every month of service?
And why should IL be limited to SOL
diers and not extended TO everyone
who worked too cheap to win the war;
Why may we not all put in our bills
for losses incurred, opportunities
missed, work done without pay, effort
made open-handed TO. train and send
out and cheer and help the men who
went to fight?
"The bonus idea seems to bring down
a glorious service TO level which is
.s,,f, fal L.
viii have to be paid, not by profiteers
or war-shirkers who gave the least
work for the most pay, but by the
same faithful people who worked and
paid for the war as far as II Is paid
for, and must work and pay for what
is still unpaid. The money proposed to
be given in bonuses would further In
flate the currency, check the relapse OF
prices in so far as there is any, In
crease the cost of living again and lay
n new and fairly heavy burden on
shoulders already heavy laden. As a
rule the men who went TO the war
would not cash in their experiences
for many times the bonus proposed
Their war record is the most valuable
asset they have. II gives them credit
In any community they may live In. II
makes them looked to as the reliance
Of the country and the men who are to
be its guides and leaders In their gen
GRAFTON. As between men who went TO
the war and men who might have
gone but delved at home where wages
were high. the men who went have by
far the best Of Il. They are all capt.
talists and their record Of service Is
their capital.
Besides that, most OF them have
now readjusted their lives and settled
back in some kind Of industry, and
wages being still very high the great
mass Of them must be doing well. But
the disabled ones have not bad the care
and help the country meant to give
them. That branch OF public duty has
Jagged, and attention should be given
IL at any cost But bonuses for mil
lions of young men who came out OF
the war better than they went In, Is
not "A good idea. II would hurt the tax
payers by increasing their burdens,
hurt all people by advancing the cost n
living. and hurt its ostensible benefici-
aries most OF all by diminishing their
hold on public esteem. They cannot
cash their credit in and still have It,"