The Washington times., 1920-02-09
Csst More Than WAR;

Should Congress act favorably on
all soldier bills now pending. 1t would
take anywhere from $26, ,0OO. 600. 900
to $50. zoo N00OO0 to meet the appro-
priations, or about twice the cost OF
the war.
Since they involve no expenditure
of moneys, about the only thing Cno-
gress has done for the rank and file
of world war veterans has been to
pass resolutions Of thanks and sus-
pend some Of the restrictions in filing
claims for homestead lands.
The Sweet bill, which materially
increased compensation to wounded
men, under the war risk insurance
act, Is practically the only measure
of Importance involving the gift of
money to service men that has been
sent to the White House.
Veterans are given civil service
preference by another measure. which
has passed both houses. Another
gives defendents of those killed in the
war six months pay.
The Gronna bill to give all ex-
service men one years extra pay
would require an appropriation OF
nearly $4,000. 100000, the War Depart
ment figures.
The Wisconsin delegation has in
troduced bills to give each man $50
for every month in service. This bill
would require more than s1.ooo,ooo,-
900.
May Get Thanks.
With the present economy drive
continuing, II appears that the very
most ex-service men can expect in the
near future is the thanks Of Congress
| and generous promises in the party
platforms to be made next summer.
Service men and their respective
organizations, including the Ameri-
can Legion, have greatly advanced
their chances by refraining from ask
ing Congress for q bonus, according
| to leaders in both houses, who have
expressed approval Of the restraint
which the ex-service men Arc display
| ing.
Both parties agree that the men
wounded in the world war should be
generously rewarded and cared for.
They point to tho War Risk Insur-
ance and work Of the Educational
| Bureau as being practical efforts
looking to this end.
Economy advocates IN Congress
point out that 10000. 900. 600 has been
| asked to run tho Government during
| the fiscal year ending Juno 80, 1920.
Congress Is fully aware OF tho fact
that the income from all sources will
be only $6,000,000, 900. Orders have
gone out to committees to cut appro-
priations 81 200, ,o00. 900. There still
remains a $1,000 900 900 deficit whero
10 II going to come fromf
Face Three billion DeAeit.
! with a $4,000 900, 900 dafcit-the
amount Of = hugo loan-staring Con-
gross In tho face, no Legislation in
volving tho expenditures that all sol
dier bonus bills 80 far offered would
involve has any show.
| Majority Lender MondsIl, in an ad-
dress before tho House on Friday last
painted a dismal picture of tho fu-
ture financial situation. He pleaded
with tho House to apply tho "aeid
tost of necessity to every proposal
for moro expenditures,
| Republican leaders arc armed with
q good alibi, II soms sort of soldier
legislation is not Forthcoming. They
will pass tho buck" to tho American
Legion.
"we have pleaded with tho soldiers
10 guide Congress and holp us report
out the kind OF legislation they want"
says ono Republican leader, ITO
date, they have failed, We are watt
ing on tho soldiers. We do not know
IL Congress fails to provide for them"
| believes Few want Borus.
| Another Republican view Is that
few soldiers actually wants a bonus.
rhey believe that, after . tina, the
soldiers viii eeuss forward In the
ssmo spirit they vent into the serv-
/ Ice, and sayi 'Beeeues of ths sendi-