The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-09-15
NEWS FOR VETERANS

decision OF the court OF appears,
haded down last week.
The court was divided. Five
judges ruled the bonus act unconsti-
tutional, their opinion being written
by Judge Andrews. Judges Cardozo
and Pound filed dissenting opinions.
The Andrews opinion held that the
bonus law involved the gift of the
states credit, which is prohibited by
article VII, section 1, of the state con-
stitutiOn.
The ruling opinion says:
THE logic of this opinion is not
that the legislature is unable to aid
the wounded. We cannot too clearly
emphasize at the outset of our dis
eussion that this is not an act to re-
store to health and usefulness those
who became disabled in the perform
anee of their duties. To do this is a
sacred trust.
every human impulse prompts US
TO its full accomplishments. Neglect
here spells disgrace. Yet by this act
help for the wounded is at least post
pOned. For them as a class nothing
is done. Whatever right the state
may have to use its money in making
these the subject of its first and de-
voted consideration, this right finds
no expression in the present statute.
The wounded are not a reason or a
ground for its enactment"
The bonus law was enacted by the
1921 legislature. A referendum last
November sanctioned a bond issue of
$45,OOO,OOO The legislation provid-
ed for the creation of a bonus COM
mission and the setting up of the
machinery necessary for the admin
istration and distribution of bonus
funds. Men who served in the war
were entitled to $40 for each month
in service.
Attorney General Newton pre-
dicted that steps would be taken by
the next Legislature to change the
provision of the constitution, which
10000
Another headliner has been signed
up for the big doings at the conven-
ton Of the American Legion, October
81 to November ,. He is General Ar
mando Diaz, commander-in-chief of
the Italian armies. He has been
authorized by King Victor. Emanuel
TO accept the Legion invitation and at
tend the convention. Admiral Beatty
of England, Marshal Foch of France,
and Field Marshal Haig aer other
distinguished men to come from
allied countries.
10000
Several important clauses affecting
the insurance of disabled veterans are
included in the Sweet bill.
For disabled veterans who are
alive this act provides they shall be
allowed to reinstate their term insur-
ance at any time by paying up all
back premiums. 1t also provides that
if a disabled veteran has reinstated
and paid premiums for six months the
policy cannot be thrown out by the
Veterans Bureau even though he was
physically unfit at the time he rein
stated.
Veterans whose insurance has
lapsed and who cannot pass the
physical test may reinstate by paying
only two months premiums. The
fact that men unable to pass the
physical test must pay all back prem
iums is a sort of compromise. R. G.
Cholmeley-Jones, formerly director
of the War Risk Bureau, recommend
ed that all veterans be allowed to re-
instate their insurance by paying two
months back premiums. The secre-
tary of the treasury refused to ap-
prove such a recommendation. so a
compromise allowing reinstatements
to disabled men by paying all back
premiums was agreed on. This clause
does not apply to converted insur-
anee, as men not able to pass the
physical test cannot reinstate con-
verted insurance under any circum-
stances.
10000
The National AmericanizatiOn
committee of the Veterans of For
eign Wars has adopted and copy
righted a button which has the in
itials V. F. W. in red, the body of the
button in pure white and the remain