Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1920-03-02
NO BONUS WANTED
BY EX-SERv|CE MEN,
LEGION HEAD SAYS
Seeks Assistance to Aid Former
Soldiers Overcoming Financial
Disadvantages.
TOM MILLER MAKES PLEA
BY Associated Press to Eve ru Evening

BY Associated Press to Eve ru Evening
Washington, March 2.--Franklin d..
'I.ier. national commander of the Ameri-
can Legion, outlining to the House Ways
and Means Committee today the or
yanlxations demands for soldier relief
legislation, declared it wanted no bonus
hu, assistance for former service men in
overcoming present financial disad-
uautages."
All the legion asks, he told the COM
mittee, sis as liberal treatment as is con-
sistent with the welfare of the whole coun-
try
''An overwhelming majority of ex-
service men feel strongly that this gov
eminent owes an obligation to all persons
who were handicapped either bodily or
financially the national commander
declared, adding that disabled men wanted
relief legislation "to the end that they
would no longer be objects of private
charity
Recommendations for legislation were
presented as follows;
Land settlements, covering farms in all
States; aid to encourage purchase OF
homes; vocational training, and ADJUST
mcnt of compensation based on length of
service for those not desiring TO avail
themselves of the other three features.
The American Legion" Mr.. D'Olier
said, asks nothing in its selfish interests at
he expense OF the country, but at the same
tune does not feel that this obligation 10
sx-service men and women should be alto
gether passed by at this time and all
sconomlzing done at the expense OF the
sX-service man.
IF legislation is wisely framed cover
ng land settlement, some aid, and voca-
tinnat traf dollar invested hx-
The government will bring ultimately
Ereat returns to the country by making
the ex-sarvice man better citizen and
greater producer
More than so bills relating TO bonuses
we're before the committee when it began
hearing sessions on soldier relief.
Former Congressman Thomas w Mil
ler of Wilmington. Del, chairman of the
legion's legislative committee, declared
that war service adjustment based on
Justice had taken the place of pensions
based on charity.
"A war service adjustment will not de-
tract from that high sense Of patriotism
which the service man will ever hold as
heritage he said. by approving the
plan. the legion viii not depart from its
high purposes and lofty ideals. Justice
demands no apology"
Oblecting 70 the tlNli war pension
system, Mr. Miller said it was based on
the theory that public charity be ex-
tended soldiers and their dependents,
and that it naturally and inevitably led
10 abuses and to political and private cor
ruption."
Taking up the case of the returning
soldier, Mr.. Miller said his service had
not fitted him TO earn more money and
that his financial status was not nearly rs
good as that of the man who remained
in civil life.
He added that in most cases there was
an added home burden incurred during his
absence.
The American Legion feels it has wait
ed long enough for Congress to show what
il will do to relieve the financial dis
advantages of ex-service men," he de-
clared