The Washington times., 1920-12-16
VET LEADERS
PRESS BONUS
Service Men Want Early Action,
Organization Heads Tell
Senate Committee.

Ion make tne men WHO DOTe
the brunt during the war bear the
further burden of economic retrench-
ment in the consideration Of adjust
ed compensation legislation" Gil.
bert Betterman, chairman Of the
Legislative committee of the Ameri-
can Legion today said in his final
argument before the Senate Finance
Committee considering soldier aid
legislation.
UP TO COMMITTEE.
would there be objection by the
American Legion because OF the pres
ent economic condition TO the passage
OF the bill so that payments could be
made January !, 1927 Senator Nc
Cumber. acting chairman Of the COM
mittee asked.
"we do not wish to be evasive,
but we feel that the question OF fl
nance can better be worked out by
your committee than by the legion"
Betterman declared.
"we will defend our claim and
leave the question of working out
the details to your committee and the
Senate"
"'rhe committee wishes to do all
possible for the former service men.
and / think your attitude is one well
taken" McCumber commented.
Tn considering this legislation we
wish to call your attention to the
fact that a popular referendum In
several States has favored soldier
Betterman continued.
TWO TO ONE IN NEW YORK.
What was the result in New
York; Senator Calder. Republican OF
New York asked.
About two to one in favor Of the
bonus,' Betterman declared.
Canada, Great Britain and France
have given aid, why not the United
States? Twelve States have given
this aid. The Lower House of Con-
gress has approved an adjusted COM
pensation BILL" Betterman said.
Commander F. W. Galbraith of the
American Legion drew picture or
the financial condition of men who
remained home from war an dthe men
who Joined or were drafted.
Galbraith told of the amounts taken
from army pay for insurance, Liberty
bonds and compensation and said in
many cases the net pay was decreased
to IS per month.
The question of insurance was
brought up by Senator Smoot. Re-
publican of Utah. who asked Cal
braith II the Legion favored lump
sum payment of army insurance
claims.
HANDICAPPED BY FINANCES.
"The Legion does, but that Is .
question handicapped by finances,
Galbraith declared.
1T has been the experience OF the
past that lump sum payments last
about Ave years." Smoot commented.
The land settlement plan was criti-
cised by both Smoot and McCumber.
I'VE have not cared for our SOL
diers," Galbraith said. The present
lack of centralized authority has
caused much of this condition. There
has been sufficient money but ad-
ministration Is such that the boys
have not received the aid already pro-
vided"
Carl Calvin, national chairman Of
the World War Veterans, urged the
passage of the adjusted compensa-
tion bill"
The Government provided well for
the manufacturers VINO lost by the
cancellation of contracts during the
war and gave the railroads a fair re-
turn for operations" Calvin said.
you paid them at once and II was
proper you did. Now you wish to
postpone the payment of those who
lost money and offered their lives
for three or four years. Is 1t fair7"
woODsIDE At HEARING.
Robert J. Woodside, commander OF
the Veterans OF Foreign Wars, said
90 per cent OF the members of his
organization served in the A. IL. +.
in France.
II feel the men in all soldier or
ganizations are 90 per cent In favor
of immediate legislation" Woodside
said.
I'VE wish to defend the provision
in the bill which grants preference
to men who served overseas. We
do not want help we want Justice"
Woodslde said.
Sol Lovenbein, head or the Rank
and File Legion said his organization
opposed the American Legion Bill
because 1t only fools the soldiers"
Everyone will take the cash in
that bill and the education, insurance
and other features will fall" Loven-
bein declared.