The Belding banner-news., 1921-03-30

At the regular meeting of the
Hugo Fales Post, No. 2O3, American
Legion, Belding, every one of the
members present discussed and ap-
proved the amendment to article 10
OF the constitution of the state of
Michigan by adding a new section
thereto to be known as section 20,
which is. briefly an amendment to
authorize the State of Michigan to
compensate the soldiers, sailors and
marint. of this state in the late
war with Germany, at the rate of
$1,000 per month for each month
spent in the service.
lilis money is to be obtained
through bond issue extending
through period of thirty-fve
years, and as far as taxation is
concerned, the increalse caused by
such issue will be so minute that it
Will not be appreciable to the tax
payer. The whole question, then,
resolves itself into this question:
IS the soldier, sailor and marine
entitled to compensation for giving
his services to his country during
the late war;"
The answer is in the hands of the
voter at the polls Monday, April 4.
When the war broke out there
were, we are ashamed to admit a
cert "a n element who immed-
lately, through political o, other in
f1uence, asked for and obtained po-
sltlons which exempted them from
military. service. They won the war
by waving the flag and cheering
whenever the opportunity presented
itself, but when their chance to do
real service was at hand, they were
among the missing. This same ele-
ment most wonderful and advanta-
geous pecuriary conditions, as finan-
clal conditions were continually on
the upward trend. 1t has been shown
by acurate and carefully prepared
statistics that the average stay-at-
home had, at the end of the war, a
bank account of $42500 to say moth
ing of the homes they built, the au-
tomobiles they bought and the money
spent uselessly during this period Of
extravaganza brought about by the
war. And what became of the ,ser-
vice men at this time? The millions
who left their homes willingly to
serve their country were told that
they would be equipped with uni
forms and working clothes as soon
as they reached camp. Each man
had his good All-American pride
with him, and reached the training
station looking his best. And what
did he find? That there was no
equipment TO-. him, so was compelled
to wear what he. had on. Millions of
suits of serviceable clothing was de-
stroyed because the government was
rot ready to supply their needs. In
the early s-'ges OF the war, the SOL
diers were forced to wait on an av-
erage of TO 'ty-five days before equip
ment of any kind was Forthcoming.
And how did the government com
pensate this loss of clothing alone?
By alloting each, soldier SIXTY Dol
lars on their discharge. Have you
tried to outfit Yourself on that mon
en-? How far did II go?
How many service men are bet
te-off now than they were prior to
the war? A very small percent
How many of the stay-at-h homes are
better off, financially? One hundred
percent. And which most willingly
gave his alr TO the countrv's call?
Twelve states have passed bonus
bills in which cash payment is
granted. In nearly every case, the
measu :es were carried by votes of
3 to l. Forty-four states have pass
ed some sort of legislation beneficial
to the former service man. In New
York state a referendum on $45,-
100000 bond issue carried by moe
than half million votes.
Maine has passed an adjusted COM
Dersation bile granting 800 to each
former service man, has established
a soldier settlement board and has
appropriated rese We land. Massa-
chusetts is paying 800 and has a
commission studying for further re-
lief. Minnesota is paying a bonus
of SIS for each months of service and
is providing a $500 tuition fee for
vocational training. New Jersey is
paying 500 for each months SER
vice. New Hampshire is paying a
bonus of 500, New York is paying
$15 for each months service and
provides scholarship for veterans
in universities and schools.
No tn Dakota is paying $500 for
each months service and has au-
thorized a tax of one-half mill for
Returned Soldiers Fund" which is
used to help the ex-service man build
homes, start business or purchase
farm machinery. Rhode Island is pay
ing 500 to each 70 mer service man.
South Dakota Maid SIX nor month of