Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-07-14
A STRONG MESSAGE

President Harding, as head OF the
administration chosen. to succeed one
that was neither prepared for war
nor for the peace which followed, is
confronted by a situation in many
ways more perplexing than any yet
presented. Likewise it is one more
difficult to deal with under the sane
ton Of popular support, in that 1t
may receive such support only by ap-
peal to the cool reason, dispassionate
judgment and the public's capacity
for bearing CALLING burdens unre-
lieved by the inspiration Of fervor.
Manfully he is meeting the condi-
tons and the appeal he makes is one
of the strongest that ever has been
made to a great people in time Of
peace. He shows us where we are in
duty bound to so regulate our affairs
that We may pay the price of that
which we undertook and SO nobly
executed in the heat of PATRIOTS SIN.
In doing this he disregards all per-
sonal advantage which it might be
supposed he could secure by &C
quiescing in the proposed bonus leg
islation. He meets unflinchingly that
admirable sentiment for recognition
of the soldiers claims. 1t required
courage and dependence on the sober
second thought of the people. He has
met those requirements.
One may not carefully consider his
statements without realizing that it
is not possible to pay that bonus out
Of the gains of those who staid at
sufficient amount to afford the soldier
any considerable material benefit it
worse, economic rehabilitation; it
thus will seriously affect the soldier
wishes for opportunity to better HIM
self To repeat the Presidents
words:
IF it is conceivably true that only
two hundred millions a year will be
drawn annually from the treasury in
the few years Immediately before us,
the bestowal is too inconsequential
to be of real value to the nations
defenders; and. if the exercise of the
option should call for cash running
into billions, the depression in
finance and industry would be so
marked that vastly more harm than
good would attend"
Some have argued that it was the
right of the nations defender to re-
ceiVe a pay for his services equal to
that which was paid to the stay-at-
home who flourished under the cost
plus system. Such an argument does
not seem fair to the soldier, implying
be paid, whereas it never can or will
be repaid in fun and the soldier is in
Stacker" Anything which tends to
place him in that light is detrimental
to him. He has earned the right to be
considered citizen with the great
est possible stake" in the welfare of
the country. If he retains his health
he should be expected to take his
part in the reconstruction. If that
depends-and it Enthusiastically does
on economical administration of af-
fairs he should be expected, and we
believe would wish to be expected, to
take his share in it with the rest.
This does not take account, it is
true, of many whose future was i'm
paired, whose prospects were
changed or injured by absence in the
service, but no way has been devised
whereby an exception might be made
to cover such cases Meanwhile, IN
justice to himself as well as to his
country, it is better that he wait a
more opportune time. That time viii
come. The people will not be per-
mitted to overlook the obligation
will not wish to do so when properly
presented to them, as it will be.
In the case of those physically i'm
paired by service in the war our du-
ties to those are such as i'm
PEELED succor to the wounded under
fire. We should care for them to the
last dollar; We would not have the
dollar but for them and it will help
them, no question about that, and
they should have it. The President
showed conclusively that he is bend
ing his energies to the end that they
shall receive it. and he proved con-
clusively that the administration is
accomplishing that purpose. -.
The President does not expect. the
public does not expect the soldier,
however physically wen and we'll
placed he may be. to make all the
2acHfceA Congress is called on to
do its duty. The President has been
very patient; has hesitated TO have
1t appear he is trying to impose one
man rule. But now, when it is clear
that CoppreS1 lacLS p-orar rr,n,oo