The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-06-10
BONUS SURVEY
RECENT REPORT ON LEGIS-
LATION MADE
Every State Has Passed Relief
Measure of Some Sort
Or Other
Associated Press Dispatch.I

Chicago, June 7.-OnIy rnree out of
thirteen middle western states have
failed to pass soldier bonus legislation
or have no such legislation pending,
it is shown by a survey JUST complet-
ed. Every state has passed a soldier
relief measure of some sort or other,
the survey shows.
North Dakota has voted one of the
most liberal of bonuses for its ex.
service men and women; $25 for each
month spent as member of the gov
eminent forces. To pay this bonus
within a reasonable time the last as
sembly voted to raise. the tax from
one half mill as previously set, to one
mill. At the same time it removed
such inhibition as had been prescribed
by a previus assembly as to the dis
position of bonus money on the part
Of the recipient.
Another of the Northern border
states, Wisconsin, has enacted ex-
tremelv liberal bonus measures, per-
hitting the ex-soldier to choose be-
tween a cash bonus and Agar
course Of study at an accredited schol
the later choice with 1t a stipend OF
$50 month. An amendment to this
educational bonus act is now pending,
enabling a beneficiary under the cash
bonus act to participate in the edu-
cational bonus by discounting cash
payments already received against
those receivable under the educational
bonus. Proposed amendments to per-
NIT allied soldiers living in Wisconsin,
and citizens of Wisconsin who served
with the allied forces, to share In the
benefits Of this legislation were de-
feated.
Minnesota Third State.
Minnesota is the third border
state now paying q soldier bonus.
legislature at its last session had to
raise the interest rate on the bonds
previously foated, because these
were not marketable at the old rate
in competition with high interest
bearing industrial securities. Leg
islation to permit aliens and con.
scientious directors who waived
their exemptions and withdrew their
objections to share in the bonus dis
tribution, is now pending.
The view has been advanced that
the states bordering on Canada were
Influenced toward prompt and gen
erous bonus settlements through
the enactment of similar legislation
id Canada. Other students Of the
bonus situation point to this as
merely further evidence of the, in
herent "progressiveness" of these
states.
Four states have passed bonus
measures subject to the approval OF
the voters at the next general cleo
ton, and of these Kansas has au-
thorized the most generous distribu-
ton, a reward of one dollar day
for each day spent in the service.
A bond issue Of $25, 100000 is needed
to meet this disbursement.
Ohio has authorized payment OF
$40 for each month spent in the
service, contingent upon consent Of
the voters. The proviso was in this
case expressly demanded by the
American Legion which declared in
behalf of its members that 1t would
accept no bonus on which the people
themselves had not put their seal of
is $3.50, to be issued in lump sum.
Should the recipient prefer he may
assign the money to sinking fund
to maintain hospitals for veterans.
The bond issue was s25, 900 900.
In Iowa fifty cents a day for each
day in the service, with $3.50 as max
imum, was provided, subject to a
vote Of the people, through a bond
issue of $22,000.000. An effort to in
clude the Student Army Training
Corps within the scope of the act met
defeat.
The voters of Missouri will also
have a chance to pass or reject
bonus act permitting sale of SIS
100000 block of state bonds. The
bonus would be at the rate Of $40
for each month spent in the service.
Bonus Features Under Considerations
and Indiana, have bonus features I'M
der consideration. In Michigan the
governor has promised to call special
session of the legislature this fall to
translate into law the will of the
voters, expressed by majority of
some 100000 votes, directing SOL
der bonus through $30,000,000 bond
issue. Both men and women are to
share in the Michigan dividend, at
the rate of SIS for each month of
service prior to August /, 1919, with
a maximum payment of % months.
Fifty five millions of dollars will be
required to carry out the provisions
of the bonus bill now in the Illinois
house. Fifteen dollars for each
month Of service and maximum Of
$500 are specified. A referendum is
required.
Similar Is the Indiana bill, passed
contingent upon popular referendum
to pay $40 for each month of service.
No action has resulted in the senate.
Voted Down Attempts at Legislation.
Oklahoma, Arkansas and Nebraska
have voted down all attempts at bon
us legislation. Nevertheless these
states have passed immediate relief
In Oklahoma the American
Legion has taken decided stand
against the passage of bonus legis-
lation. Instead, Oklahoma had been
induced to appropriate $4,000 to sup
ply necessities to sick and temper
arily disabled veterans or their wives,
fathers or children. A gen.
eral hospital for all disabled ex- serv-
icemen, provided for in bill which
successfully emerged from the SEN
ate, is being held up IN the house
pending the federal governments an
of its hospital allottments.
Arkansas has coded to the federal
government Fort Logan H. Roots, op-
posite Little Rock, as hospital for
disabled veterans, subject to the ap-
prevail of congress.
The Nebraska lower house has ap
proved bill fathered by the Ameri
oo~ a~;1n RI ac;Ia mn mn