Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-11-30
THE SOLDIERS BONUS BILL.

Evidences accumulate that the administration
intends to make soldiers bonus, or compensation,
act part of its program at the approaching regular
session Of the congress which meets next week. This
is in accordance with the suggestion OF the presl-
dent at the time the bill was recommitted
Three things probably influenced the presideht
in asking for delay in considering this matter The
Journals opinion is more or less of guess, as we
lay no claim to inside information.
First, so imperative the need Of emergency
tariff legislation and tax revision that time sheufl
not be consumed in debating, at the time, a mat"
ter which would not be effective for year In any
event
Secondly business should not be disturbed further
at time when the load was already back-breakinf@
until the people could see that there was some
source from which the money could come withou:
increasing the burden. 1t thought in all prob
ability that the psychology of the situation was
such that the return of prosperity would be Delayed
Thirdly liquidation was taking place rapidly
War fortunes were being lost The apparent profNd
of those who stayed at home were being wiped out.
In the shake-down 1t would become more apparent,
monthly. as to Just how much the real economic
handicap of those who went to war actually was
II would then be possible to tell just what egisla-
ton might be necessary TO restore the equilibrium
It is apparent that the administration had no
intention of denying justice to those VINO fought
for our preservation, although a few hot-heads de-
clared that to be the 1t was unbelievable tina,
the government would recognize its other war OBJ
legations but deny and repudiate Its dept TO us
soldiers
The Journal at the time OF the recommtal OF
tbe bill suggested a sympathetic expert and inn
partial board to study the subject and be ready 10
report to congress to what we ought to DO 10
order to re-establish the economic equilibrium OF
the ex-soldier Had that been done expert Informal
ton could now be in hand by which to determine
the demands of justice.
We can not repay the debt of gratitude we owe
That can not be measured in terms of dollars ana
cents But we can determine how much better OIL
on the average, these boys would have been had
they stayed at home, and can pay them that dltler
ence We should by all means. pay 1t.
The leaders of the ex-service men should not be
permitted however. to arbitrarily decide how mucr
that amount is Citizens can not be allowed TO de-
eide for themselves what justice demands for them
These questions must be decided by impartial tr'-
bunaIs which represent everyone and which keep
the scales of justice even
We have courts to decide between man and map
as TO what is just Each litigant generally Iee's
that he is right The Judge and jury look at the
matter impartialy.
The mines not be allowed to DECIDE no"
much or how little, taxes they shall pay. They
would pay none in all probability, under such an
arrangement. The cattle and sheep men must not
be permitted to decide the relief necessary In order
for them to survive. Given that power they woun
take too much Such Is human nature.
Capital must not be permitted, unrestraihed' 10
say how much toll 1t shall take from labor. Lahor
can not be permitted to dictate its own demands.
In all of these things an impartial public NUS
nrovide the machinery and public opinion to see
TO 1t that justice Is done .......
So with reference to the bonus bill There Is no
justification in the organizations of the ex-sodiefs
demanding the passage of certain bill merely be-
acuse they desire It. They must prove their case
of course. The administration should lend SYM
pathetic ear Cordial justice should be done
The journal hopes for the early passage OF
square compensation bill which will meet the needs
and the approval of the rank and file Of the soldier
boys We pay for property taken or destroyed dur
ing the war. We do no less, certainly, Tor hui
man beings taken and destroyed in that conflict,