Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-07-09
Fair to the Service Men

THE Democratic platform is fair to the
L service men. 1t is generous in it's
recognition of the debt OF gratitude the
| country owes to them, but it is right In
decrying cash payment that would at
once diminish their glory and be financial
burden which the Treasury in its present
condition could not carry. The plank may
be unsatisfactory to comparatively few
of the men who served with the colors and
have been led to believe by Republican
promises that they would receive a cash
reward for their hcroism, hut the vast ma
jurity OF the eX-soldicrs will accept IL as
the only wise course. Even those who hoped
for cash reward have had their eyes
opened to the deceitfulness of the Repub-
lican Congress. which promised it, by the
failure OF the Chicago convention to COM
nit the party 10 such payments.
The nation ut large is not indisposed
to approve some sort OF bonus system
for the men who served it in time OF war
1t feels that the sacrifices made by the
more than 100000 men who comnosed
the army and navy are entitled TO more
than mere thanks. an honorable discharge
and metal badge. They should be given
additional consideration in some measure
commensurate with the labors performed
and the hazards incurred All this the
event of Il victory in November the soldiers
will be assured of treatment that will be
wholly satisfactory TO them and still not
Jeopardize the national interests.
II is. of course difficult question with
which to deal. To present to each service
man q Hat sum OF money, say $500. as was
suggested by the Republican Congress,
would mean an expenditure OF approx
mately 0O.O0O,o00, a sum of III oney which
the government in its strained condition
is incapable OF providing without laying
heavy tax upon the country. Further
taxation is one thing that the American
people shrink from as from n plague They
have been taxed almost to the limit of their
capacity to pay and their one commanding
appeal now is for relief from the taxation
burdens which the war imposed 1t would
be possible, OF course, for Congress- when
IL reconvcnes, to make a payment to SOL
diers and sailors in the form of Il service
bond. This would obviate the necessity OF
further taxation except for purposes OF in
tercst and Il sinking fund. but with a bonded
Indebtedness of nearly $3O,O00,O0O. 900 now
tho prospect of an additional issue of either
long-term or short-term securities is not
agreeable to contemplate Moreover it
would have serious effect on the market
value of those bond issues now in the hands
OF the public, which have deprecated alarm
ingly. unless some means could be found to
stabilize them
Many thousands of men who saw service
during the war have let ii be known that
they neither expect nor would accept finan-
cial benefits from their government. They
take the position that the men who were
manned in action should be amply and gen
erously provided for. but the men who
returned to private life without physical
disability should only ask for an opporun-
ity TO return TO work. to take up their
careers where they lei, OFF to answer the
war call and TO fit themselves again into
Tho civil life OF the million.