The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-07
VOTE FOR BONUS
Only 8 of Is Mid West States
Refuse Soldier Bills.
States Along Canadian Border
First to Act.
KANSAS BILL MOST LIBERAL
Oklahoma Defeated Bonus But
Adopts Substitute.
Four States Make Payment Sub
ject to Voters VIII.
KANSAS BILL MOST LIBERAL

Chicago. June 7.-Only three out of
thirteen middle western states have
failed to pass soldier bonus legislation
or have no such legislation pending,
it is shown by a servey just completed.
, Every state has passed a soldier relief
measure of some sort or other, the sur
vey shows.
North Dakota has voted one of the
most liberal of bonuses for its ex-serv-
ice men and women; $25 for each
! month spent as member of the gov
ernment forces. To pay this bonus
within a reasonable time the last as
sembly voted to raise the tax from one
half mill as previusly set, to one mill.
At the same time ii removed such
inhibition as had been prescribed by
! a previous assembly as to the DISPOSE
ton Of bonus money on the part Of
the recipient
| Another of the northern border
states, Wisconsin, has enacted ex-
| tremely liberal bonus measures, per-
| mitting the .ex-soldier to choose be-
tween a cash bonus and a 4-year
course of study at an accredited school
the latter choice carrying with 1t a
stipend of sac month.
An amendment to this educational
bonus act is now pending, enabling
a beneficiary under the cash bonus act
| " Pal IliClpdlc III Tie DOnuS
by discounting cash payments already
received against those receivable
under the educational bonus. Pro-
posed amendments to permit allied
soldiers living in Wisconsin, and citi-
zens OF Wisconsin who served with the
allied forces, to share in the benefits
of this legislation were defeated.
Minnesota is the third border state
now paying a soldier bonus. Legisla-
ton to permit aliens and conscien-
tious objectors who waived their ex-
Iemptions and withdrew their objec-
tions to share in the bonus distribu-
ton. is now pending.
| The view has been advanced that the
states bordering on Canada were influ-
enced toward prompt and generous
bonus settlements thru the enactment
of similar legislation in Canada,
/ Kansas Most Liberal
i Four states have passed bonus meas
lures subject to the approval of the
tvoterse at the next general election
land of these Kansas has authorized
the most generous distribution. a re-
ward of one dollar a. day for each day
spent in the service. A bond issue of
s25, 100000 is needed to meet this dis
bursement.
Ohio has authorized payment Of $40
for each month spent in the service,
4 contingent upon consent of the voters.
The proviso was in this case expressly
Qeman0eQ Dy the American Legion
which declared in behalf of its mem
bers that it would accept no bonus on
(which the people themselves had not
lput their seal of approval Maximum
payment in Ohio is $3.50, to be issued
in a lump sum. Should the recipient
prefer, he may assign the money to a
sinking fund to maintain hospitals for
VETERANS. The bond issue was $685.
100000.
In Iowa soc a day for each day in
. the service, with $3.50 as maximum.-
was provided, subject to a vote of the
, people, thru bond issue of $22.-
100000. An effort to include the Stu
dent Training Corps within the scope
of the act met defeat.
The voters of Missouri will also
have chance to pass or reject a boz
nus act permitting sale of a $4,000
5 900 block of state bonds. The bonus
} would be at the rate of SO for each
, month spent in the service.
Three Consider Plans.
Three states, Michigan, Illinois and
Indiana, have bonus features under
: consideration. In Michigan the gov
J ernor has promised to call a special
session of the legislature this fall to
translate into law the will of the vot-
ers, expressed by a majority of some
100000 voters. directing a soldier bo-
nus thru a $40, 100000 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 1. 1919. with a maximum pay
ment of twenty-eight 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 a 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.
Three Vote All Down.
Oklahoma, Arkansas and Nebraska
t have voted down all attempts at bonus
! legislation. Nevertheless these states
E have passed immediate relief meas
: ures Oklahoma had been induced to
e appropriate $4,000 to supply neces-
3 stiles to sick and temporarily disabled
: veterans or their wives, mothers,
e fathers or children.
( Arkansas has ceded to the federal
a government Fort Logan H. Roots, op-
4 posite Little Rock, as a hospital for
e disabled veterans, subject to the ap-
proyal of congress.
: The Nebraska lower house has ap-
: proved a bill fathered by the Ameri-
: can Legion Ito set aside $4,000, 600
4 from which interest would be used in
e temporarily alleyiating distress among
n disa bled veterans. their widows and
= orphans. A bill, providing for the
d | sale of / 100000 acres of school lands
to assist veterans in acquiring homes.
o introduced at the instigation of the
: Veterans of Foreign wars, was killed.
Il II C WDx.n