The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-04-13
WHY EX-SERVICE MEN
SHOULD HAVE A BONUS
New York Tribune)

Editor Tribune: Your editorial to-
day, Justice, Not a Bonus," is the
most clean cut statement that has
been made during the long controver-
sy concerning compensation for dis
charged soldiers and sailors.
| am an active members of an Am
erican Legion post of 1000 members.
This question has been discussed at
length by them. At no time have /
heard one of them speak with beg
ging Or "poor mouth" But expert
ence after experience has been cited
where they have found themselves
handicapped by loss of position and
| financial embarrassment
But the most significant statements
have been those of men whose service
records were tangled up and who still
are trying to collect the little money
that was supposed to be paid them
when in service. My own problem is
but one of many. / enlisted early in
the game and was attached to all
ambulance unit with the French army
before our boys ever got into it. Hard
ships, gas and case of "unromantic"
pleurisy sent me back to the states
with the frank statement that would
do well to live year.
Despite these prophecies / managed
to get well. and when ordered to be
discharged, December 81, 1918, after
twenty months in the service, l was
notified that owing to the tangle of
my service record, due TO detached
service with the French army, an
adjustment would have to be made
before my discharge could be signed.
So, through no fault of my own, but
due to the laundering of some hanger
on at Washington, was charged with
5000, which l was notified would have
to be deposited before / could be dis
charged.
During my service had gone in
debt for about $1,000 to meet personal
obligations. l. did not have the money
to pay the $500. At one time during
my service / had received no pay at
all for seven months. | arranged with
the quarEermaster at the hospital to
make my bond, signed by two repu-
table business men, to cover the defic-
iency until my record should be clear
ed, and after the bond was taken the
commander of the hospital refused to
soign my discharge. l managed to
borrow the money for the deposit, and
after month and eighteen days, dur
ing which time had lost good posi-
ton that had been offered me, my dis
charge was signed.
They have both the bond and the
5000. After my discharge / discov-
cred that $50 on an allotment had
never been paid by the government.
In filing a claim for the money my
discharge paper was sent to the treas
ury department Now they have my
bond for $500, 5000 in cash, owe me
$50 on an allotment and also have my
discharge certificate.
I volunteered for service. l served
to the best of my ability. This was
proved by the hardships that left me
broken in health-the effects of which
l still feel l refused to claim a dis
ability pension. When at the hospital
l started the first class for illiterate
patients a-class which resulted in an
educational department with a staff
of fifty men. l did this cheerfully.
And now I am in favor of a soldiers
bonus, for thereby may be able to
offset what is owed to me for my serv-
ice and be able to pay some of the
debts that accrued because of this
same service.
Yes, Mr.. Editor. it is justice we
want, and not beggar's gift.
One of the Many.
Trenton, n. J., April 6, 1920.