The Penn's Grove record., 1921-10-28

great proportions. Upon receipt of
applications they are investigated.
Then they are indeXed to prevent
duplication ana for other important
reasons. This done, the claims 20 to
the state auditor, then to the state
comptroller for his signature and then
back to me for my signature. Then
they must be compared, made ready
and mailed. We are not soldering
on the job, nor have we been at any
time. A larger force could do more
work, but our present force is work
ing splendidly. 1t is difficult to get
the right sort for short term work
such as we could offer capable men.
"When we had sent out check No.
G4,000 and had $4,000 more claims
ready, as We supposed, to put through,
we made a discovery that prompted US
to stop short and look things over.
The New York bonus law had been
declared unconstitutional and the sol
diers did not get the $3.50 each they
had expected in that state. Some of
them came over here to get the New
Jersey 500 bonus. ReinvestigatiOn of
the whole 1900 pending Gains was
decided upon. 1t vas a thorough job.
We found cases of men who had col
lected bonuses in Connecticut, Georgia,
Kansas and other states and had then
come to this state and filed claims for
the 500 bonus here, besides the New
York claimants.
'"That took some time, but che bad
cases were finally weeded out and we
again went ahead on the 1900 cases
that had been held up. Getting out
those checks was begun a week ago
today and we will moi stop now until
the whole task is completed, the only
possible delay now in sight being such
as may occur While we are disposing
of more bonds to get the additional
money needed. Some of the boys may
have to wait a few weeks longer than
they had expected. This will, of course
apply to the latest claims filed.
PERSONALLY and as the treasurer of
the state of New Jersey, l am proud of
the work we have accomplished on
the soldier bonus payments. If any
person or persons who believe they
have a genuine kick coming care TO
take up the matter of official inyesti-
cation by the legislature l will give
my utmost influence with the members
of that body to bring about such an
investigation. Fact is, l would well
come it, if for no other reason than /
know it would publicly develop the
fact that we have really done remark
able work and have just cause for
pride in it."
Legion Officers Question Edwards
Governor Edwards reasons for speci-
flying that the resignation of Major @.
of the New jersey National Guard was
accepted "for the good of Inc service"
will be sought by the executive COM
mittee of the New Jersey department
of the American legion.
At it's first meeting since the de-
partments convention in September, at
the state house, the executive commit
tee, which is made up of the state
officers, went into the circumstances
surrounding the governors acceptance
of Major Burr'S resignation. The state
commander Lieutenant Colonel Joseph
D. Sears of Bloomfield was authorized
by the committee to appoint a special
committee to call upon Governor Ed
wards and request him to inform the
legion of his reasons for the belief that
the retirement of Major Burr would
promote the good of the service.
Major Burr served in the National
Guard IS years and also held a COM
mission in the army during the world
war, having served a year in France
and commanded a machine gun com
pany in action. With other officers of
the guard, he submitted his resignation
in consequence of the controversy over
the election of Brigadier General Bor-
den as brigade commander.
Reaffirm Industrial Neutrality
The executive committee at its meet
ing today reaffirmed the position taken
by the national executive committee Of
absolute neutrality in all controversies
between capital and labor and in
political affairs.
The approval was given by the COM
mittee to the proposed bond issue or
$14, 100000 to finance the department
of institutions and agencies program
for the development of state institu-
tons. This stand was inspired prin-
cipally by the fact that there are many
former service men in the state who
are not receiving proper institutional
care because of inadequate facilities.
This condition, they say, is particularly
AI.s- IIas~- AcVa
tai for the insane, which is greatly
overcrowded.
A widespread membership campaign
and an active program to advance the
interests of sick and disabled former
service men throughout the state are
planned by the executive committee as
a part Of the departments work during
the new year.
State Cops in Final Shape
New Jersey will be proud of her new