Albuquerque morning journal., 1920-04-07


JUSTICE FOR SERVICE MEN.
,s,4 4sL4 .---fs,
The late state convention of re-
publicans In session at Santa Fe
had quite large number of vet
Grams of the world war and of the
Spanish-American war as dele
gates. Because OF the election of
president and congress involving fu
ture action for a national program
norao concerning the treatment of men
who went to war. at personal sacri-
&ilofm flee. the convention considered it
proper to express the spirit of ap
A.. ~ probation and intention of fairness
1t was NOT deemed best to attempt
10 weigh special plans yet suggest
sTT ed and undigested The delegates
5 q. considered that the largest and
.eI IL most representauye 6psanl|a,on Sb
upon a Just and useful method to
secure welfare of the ex-service
men and would do so in a spirit
%--l---~ of fairness to the entire people
s-- Therefore the following resolution
S..---a--, was passed:
We believe the American Legion
is representative of the great ma
/ arer, Jority of soldiers, sailors and ma
/ goTt,, rines who served our country in
ory,ss 5o Work ont 5ns efoss%; sg;rs q
delegates. 10 the national Conven+
@=-==== ton to support the program which
-~~- the New Mexico American Legion
N@~--- shall recommend II
.1.- Now and again some civilian
springs up to scout the idea OF Civ
Dos rot ing anything like a bonus to the
""'o'Hi world war veterans, declaring that
.r6th in the consciousness of having per-
formed a wonderful service for hu-
manity they have received reward
above price Let it be hoped that
they will indeed have that reward,
'SN"'m but it is in no narrow sense that
some of them may be raising the
--------. question What do we get out of
it?"
1t would have been different II
the civilian forces of the govern
ment had sacrificed their 'pecu-
mary rewards" had said, "now
n that millions of young men are be-
ing taken from lucrative employ
s'e'e-r ment and sent to risk their lives at
dollar a day, we will work for the
70 same until the end of the war" 1t
would have been different If this
home But when, instead Of this,
the veterans find that while they
were fighting in the trenches at n
dollar day. profits and wages at
home were soaring to unprecedent-
ed heights, it ia but a simple In
stinct of justice that prompts them
to expect that their financial loss
through inability to share in such
prosperity, shall be made up to
them to a modest degree
The American Legion. through
its national executive committee
has unanimously formulated some
definite ideas for congress on the
subject They embrace first land
settlements projects; vocational
training, whether those desiring it
are disabled or not: home aid and
adjusted payments in the form
of cash payments to veterans in
lieu of other benefits, at the rate of
$50 day for each day Of SER
vice. e.. ... !
The Legion executive committee
appeared before the ways and
means committee of the house and
submitted a detailed plan which is
believed to be fair to eX-service1
men and consistent with the well
fare of the country.
1t is well to be on guard against
unauthorized individuals who take
it upon themselves to say what
this or that body of men thinks or
desires. When the veterans as a.
body have anything to say on this
subject, they will say it through the
- officers Of their Organization, and
not through some civilian. AS the
American Legion is now behind
F.t M 10 apf fnr SBstt tOl
asNsss 1t as the spokesman of the vet.
erans - t.. sg.,. T.. .t
49, About the only breach of tasteI
ssag in this matter is seen in the con-
e'9s No duct of the opposition II does not
look well when men of wealth orI
1880 those who basked in prosperity atI
sraIttsex home while the fighters were risk
eisst ing their lives at a dollar day
.tav,r,o, set out to keep those who protected
the wealth Of the country from
getting reasonable compensation.
OF course, it will take a large
nsvss sum of money. and anything that
+ss9s - adds to the now heavy tax burdens
tsr.,aa is serious--but a large sum OIL
money, based on their loss OF time
from lucrative employment, wasI
hStaken from the young men. Any
-reo 1.thing given them. now, az empha-
-sss Disized would be only in the direc-
s-tion of restitution, and no one isl
supposed to bubble over payment
r-.,., .,-of just debt.
After the money that has been
-------raised to pay the public servants
in soft and lucrative berths, no one
--~-,<>- doubts that, IL there is a will to
do IT, way can be found to COM
pensate those who risked their
Iasrsusclivea for the country.
ma ys;' And there should be the will to
ma as: do it.