New-York tribune., 1920-03-05
Bonus Opposed
Nv y eteran as
Money Wasted
Men Simply Would Toss 1t
Away, Says Capt. Burns,
Of Greenport, Who Values
War Honors Above Cash
Gives Committee a Shock
Protests Against Any Big En-
penditure as Unwarrant-
ed Drain on Treasury

yyor. The Tri6une's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, March 4.--Captain
Walter W. Burns, of Greenpoint, N.
Y. testifying to-day before the House
whs end Means Committee. opposed
.he granting Of bonuses to former
service men. For his own part, he said,
80 did not wish to have his services
10 bis country measured in terms Of
cash.
Captain Burns, who served in the
drive on St. Mihiel, told the committee
that he was presenting merely his per-
sonal views. He had, he said, gained
something from his war service Of far
Greater value to him than any man
could have achieved by work in the
shipyards at ST. day.
Proud of Wars Legacy
n have three stars on my bars" he
declared, "and that Is something they
do not have
sAnd besides" interrupted Repre-
sentative Garner, Democrat, Of Texas,
pointing to his heart, "'you have some-
thing here"
s you bet I have.' replied the wit
ness
The testimony of Burns came as q
surprise to the committee, which had
heard nothing by way of outspoken op-
position to the bonus by returned SOL
diers who have testified.
"If anybody needs bonus" the cap
tain said, at is the man who did not
have an opportunity to get across
Representative Garner remarked that
he had not received one letter from
his constituency asking that the bonus
be given and representative Tilson, of
Connecticut, said he had received two
letters, one favoring it and one oppos-
ing it.
statement representatives. of Western
states urged the committee to approve
a bill calling for total appropriations
Of $3.50 100000 for irrigation projects,
contending that by giving the soldiers
an opportunity to go to community
settlements men who wanted to remain
in the cities would be assured of con-
timed employment and that depres-
sion would thus be averted.
Veteran Objects to Plan
II want to protest against any large
cash expenditure for the soldiers at
this time or in the immediate future"
said Captain Burns. "No argument is
necessary as to the condition of the
Treasury. 1t won't stand much pull
Ing on 1t, and with the $4,000, 100000
or 000,000,000 which must be paid
any additional expenditures would be
a hard pull.
II you vote to give these men $500
i simply would be wasted, as it would
be thrown away. Uniform dealers in
this city told ne that in a great many
cases the $50 bonus was spent imme-
dlately Tor new serge uniform to
60 home in.''
How do these soldiers feel about
asking the government for dona-
tion?" asked Mr.. Garner.
Well, asked one to-day and he
said that he could use the $500 very
nicely" replied Captain Burns. II con-
less could use that sum, too, and
probably if it were held out to me I'd
take it.'
Your observation Is that the men
can get jobs If they want them, that
not many returned soldiers are out
o. work" inquired Representative
klIchln.
My observation is that any man
Dno D wants work can get it," said
Your position is that you don't want
20 tax the country to give you a
oonus," suggested Mr. Garner.
NO, don't," replied Burns. 81 got
ssoome'ning oyt Of this war. got some
'nlhg from my experience.
All Willing to Take Bonus
i have talked to at least fifty re-
.urhed soldiers. They are all willing
10 take bonus if it is granted. The
a''itude of those who favor it is that
tas M shlpyard workers, carpenters and
o.neFs were getting s12 day while
'.e e, ,s9ldier was only getting 81 a day."
iou think we owe these boys some