The spectator., 1920-05-28
LEGION ASKS FOR NO BONUS
From Government In Overcoming Financial Disadvantages.

OhC VI tAC OISSCSt QuCS~ tions now occupying the attention of the American Legion has to do with the adjustment of compensation of the ex-service man, and all the members throughout the country have been ask- ed to aid through their congressional representatives in securing the enact ment of the iegion's bill.
 The bill which the legion Is indoys- ing embraces: land settlement, where by former service men and women receive S1.50 for each day of service. to apply on the purchase of land and government projects, or loans for buy ing equipment; home aid, with S2 for each day of service to apply on the purchase of a home or farm; veca- tional training with $1.50 for each day of service to be paid as long us the recipients are obtaining education pensation of $1.50 fer each day of service, to be paid within a year after the approval of the bill.
 Speaking in connection with what the national executive committee of the American Legion regards as fair treatment for ex-service men as above outlined, Franklin D'Olier. national commander of the American Legion, said:
 "The overwhelming majority of ex- service men feel strongly that this gov ernment owes an obligation to all persons who were handicapped either bodily or financially because of mill- tary or naval service during the recent war.
 ''The American Legion, representing women spoke very plainly on this point at its national convention last No vember.
 Although this obligation to the dis abled men, handicapped bodily, was universally acknowledged, 1t required a special meeting of the American Le- zion In Washington during December, over a year after the signing of the armistice, to secure satisfactory &C., ton by congress for the disabled man to the end that he would no longer be an object of private charity but could live on his increased compensation al- lowances.
 "The average man has been out of the service one year, and outside of the sixty dollars which hardly bought him a civilian outfit. he has received no aid from his government in over- coming the handicap incidental to his service.
 "The American Legion asks for no bonus-wants no bonus. That sounds too much like gift or present from the government. It merely asks the government to assist the ex-service man In overcoming some of the finan- cial disadvantages incidental to his military or naval service.
 Tt asks that each of the four fea- lures suggested shall only be as lib- eral as is consistent with the welfare of the whole country The American Legion asks nothing in its selfish in- terests at the expense of the country. but at the same time does not feel that this obligation to ex-service men and women should be altogether pass ed by at this time and all economic ing done at the expense of the ex-serv- ice men.
 If legislation Is wisely framed cov- ering land settlement, home aid and vocational training. every dollar in- vested by the government will bring ultimately great returns to the country by making the ex-service man a better citizen and greater producer and will increase the wealth of the nation.
 Having waited over year. 1t is not unreasonable to now expect some action showing that the interests of the ex-service men have not been al. together forgotten.
 All that the American Legion asks Is as liberal treatment as Is consist ent with the welfare of the whole country-legislation that Is fair to the ex-service man and at the same time just as fair to the entire nation as we'll"