Imperial Valley press., 1921-05-31
5 TEP / { n s
SIGNS WAR
VETERANS
BILLS
Measures for Soldier Relief
and Benefit COnsumated
by Governor as State Hon.
Ors Her HallOwed Dead.

! SACRAMENTO, May 31-Five bills
providing for the welfare of Califor-
| MAS world-war veterans were signed
by Governor Stephens here Memorial
Day. Enactment of the measures, the
governor declared, placed California
in tn front rank Of the states which
have provided reward and rehabilta-
tion for their former service men.
! American Legion officials, who were
responsible for the introduction of the
bills into the recent legislature have
praised Governor Stephens for his aid
in obtaining passage of the measures.
Both state and Legion officials de-
clared the measures provided a very
liberal program for former service
men.
First of the bills, Senate Bill No. 594
is considered the keystone of the group
and provides for creation of veteran
welfare board and for aid to veterans
in securing farms. The welfare board
named by the governor will consist of
five members. four of whom must be
eX-service men.
The sum of 81 100000 is appropriat
ed from the states general funds and
from this, $950,000 will be used as
revolving fund for land settlement of
service men and will be returned to
the state within so years, with inter
est. The remaining $4,000 will be
used as an administration fund. The
benefits of this law are confined to
veterans who have not taken advan-
h. 60
acts.
Senate Bill No. 592, another signed
by the governor, provides for issuance
of bonds by the state, not to exceed
$10,000,000, to be used in furtherance
of the operations of the Veterans
Welfare board in carrying into effect
the provisions of Senate Bill No. 594,
relating to land settlement by veterans
and Assembly Bill No. S22 providing
for aid of veterans in purchasing
farms and homes. The bonds will be
submitted to the people for approval
ht the general election in November,
1922. The measure creates a finance
eommittee which. will determine when
and in what amount the bonds shall be
issued and will fix the rate of interest.
Senate Bill No. 594 provides for sale
of lands by the state to veterans in
amounts not to exceed $4,000 and ito
De paid for with interest in 40 years
and for the loaning of up to $4,000 to
each veteran for purchase of livestock
and farm equipment, with 20 years TO
pay back the loan.
Under Assembly Bill No. S22, diff
ferent method is used, as the board
does not buy land, but it lists land
that is for sale and when an applica-
tion of veteran for aid in purchasing
home or farm has been approved by
the Welfare Board, the board will
enter into a contract with the veteran
for the purchase of the ponperty and
it's sale to the, veteran on payment
of 10 per cent of the purchase price
of farm and per cent of the pur-
chase price of home or home site.
The purchaser is allowed 40 years to
pay the balance, with interest at per
cent. This bill was among those
signed by the governor.
Senate Bill No. 593, another signed,
provides extension of educational
counsel to veterans and assistance in
vocational training, with monthly al
lowances to those taking vocational
training of not to exceed $40 a month.
| Administration of the provisions of
this law will be under the control of
the Welfare Board
Governor Stephens said he eonsid-
cred No 593 one of the most important
measures for the reconstruction and
rehabilitation of disabled veterans as
it will enable them to learn vocations
that will make them self supporting
and return them to the ranks of in
dustry.
Under Senate Bill No. 26, another
signed, service men are given the
same preferential rating in all state
civil service tests now accorded Civil