The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-03-02
LEGION WILL FIGHT
/. FOR YANKS' BONUS
Serves Notice on Congress at
Hearing OF Plan 10
Force Vote.
CONTINUED from First PageD

the handicap incidental TO MS service
AIN accordance with resolutions
passed at the national convention .,
the American Legion, its natiohai
beneficial legislation committee Is now
ready 10 submit recommendation Tor
legislation covering four features as
follows:
"1--I.and settlement covering farms
in all States and not confined 10 rev
States.
"2-Home aid 10 encourage purchase
Of homes in either country OF city.
educational training for all ex-
service persons desiring II.
Issuance OF bonds, secured by the
English bonds held by the Govern
ment, was suggested by Congressman
McFadden. Republican of Pennsyl-
vania The bonds would be given
10 the soldiers. and would not afiec'
our monetary system, McFadden SAID
"If 1t could be arranged to nave
the British government issue bonds
In such denominations as could be
, distributed to the soldiers such a
move would be IDEAL" McFadden
said.
Spirit of Justice.
Former Congressman Thomas w.
Miller, chairman of the legislative
committee OF the American Legion
asked that the policy of the Gov
! eminent to deal with soldiers ana
! sailors in a spirit of justice-be APP
held by adjustment of compensation
received by service men during the
war"
"The pension plan which grew out
or the Civil War was based on INC
theory that public charity be extend
ed by the national Government TO
Il ,se who served in the war. and 20
Il cir dependents" Miller said. las
( financial help should be needed by
! them. This meant the pensioner be
came an applicant for. and received
Government charity. The system
naturally and inevitably led to abuc"s
and to political and private corrup-
lion.
.It Is proposed in various meas
ures presented in Congress. that the
National Government give to those
who served in this war a cash bonus.
And it has been stated by various
members of the Congress that ou.
national Legislature intends 10 await
an expression from the American
Legion before taking action on this
important subdivision OF soldiers
beneficial legislation.
Must Diffcrentiate.
an the consideration OF this sub
ject there has been a notable failure
to differentiate between the bonus
and service adjustment. which
would be based on justice and when
in no sense would be a gratuity. A
correct consideration involves the en-
tire elimination of the bonus pan,
and the substitution, therefore. of the
same principle of justice which is m
voIved in legislation providing Tor
the disabled men.
"a war service adjustment will net
detract from that high sense OF pa
triotism which the service man will
ing the plan the American Legion
will not depart from its high pur-
pAes and lofty ideals.
Like the Treaty of Versailles, uni
versal training, Red" legislation,
and similar measures, the proposition
to grant a bonus to all ex.service men
will be carried into the campaign.
This opinion was expressed at the
Capitol today as hearings on the pro-
posed soldiers benefit law began be-
fore Congressman Joseph w. Fordney.
Of Michigan. chairman OF the Ways
and Means Committee.
The hearing itself promises to be
we'll nigh endless. 1t is estimated
that a hundred Congressman have
offered bills on the subject, and at
least twenty-five Of these carry elab-
Fordney declared he will hear ev-
cry one who desires to be heard"
and, as all sponsors Of bills, the
American Legion. Private Soldiers
and Sailors Legion. and other indfvid-
uals and organizations will undoubt-
eddy appear before the committee, the
proce edings will be long drawn out.
Democrats charge the Republicans
with planning to conduct the hear-
t. hot
can not be introduced before the Chi
cago convention, next June, in which
case, they assert, there is little likeli-
hood Of any real action on the meas
ure before next December when a
new session Of Congress begins.
win Report Bill.
Republicans deny this charge. They
say they intend to rush the hearings
as much as they win stand, consider
ing the completely of the problem
and the sum involved, and at the earli-
est possible moment will report out
a bill.
Proposed bonuses run all the way
from cash grants of 500 to $500 per
man. payable in a lump sum, to
monthly installments, land grants,
combina tions Of both, or financial as
sistance in the purchase Of country or
city homes.
Take tho case Of our allies. Aus
tralia sent 10 per cent of her popula-
ton overseas and paid it's nghting
forces 40 per cent higher than our
men were paid. When it's lighters
were brought homo an Australian
blinded in the war 10 given a home
by tho government at rent of
few cents a month.
Returned men wers given from
ten to hfteen dollars q week until
they found jobs. Able bodied ex-
service men who are able to farm
are loaned $500 al q working cap
ital at low interest
Canada sent per cent of its popu-
lation overseas and IL paid its soldiers
better than America Returned Can
adams are given adjusted compenss-
ton according to length of service,
running from $500 to GOO for married
men and a lower figure for single
men. Returned Canadians receive $50
per month while they were awaiting