Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-07-05
DEMANDED BY DEcENcY

are making a splendid fight to over
come their handicaps. Broken, blind
ed men, men with nerves shattered
and mental arrangement are making
a brave struggle to be whole again,
and success is attending their efforts
to a remarkable degree.
Doubtless many Of these would not
be alive today but for the fact their
"buddies" brought them off the field
at risk of their own lives. There is
no risk incurred now in time of peace
by those assisting them. but how
many of those, who in the comforts
of home applauded the reports of
their brave deeds and those of their
associates, are bothering about the
fact that these men in many in
stances need assistance now as bad
" as ever?
We may not know just how to car
ry first aid" to these unfortunates,
but we can be watchful in their be-
half. We can make it our opinion
that the government should overlook
no opportunity to do everything in
it's power for their welfare-and be
quick about it. We can impress this
on the attention of our representa-
tivcs in Congress. There is no dispo
sition anywhere to deprive these I'M
fortunate veterans of assistance but
the lawmakers are very busy men,
susceptible to influence. The ma
chinery with which they have to do
their work is complicated and slow
moving. About the only way to i'm
part power to their elbows is to stand
urgently and insistently beside them
The government has already done
much. but not what it should have
done according to all accounts. 1t
was not ready for peace. Seemingly
it's wonderful effort to get the sol
dierS together and across the ocean
exhausted it. No adequate hospital
provision was made for the wounded,
who in addition to all their physical
troubles have had to endure serious
delay and the deprivation conse-
quent to it. This should not be, must
not be permitted. If it is it will be
shame pointing at all OF us. Many
doubt the wisdom of a bonus at this
time to the veteran who returned
with his health. Not q man doubts
the debt we owe to the veteran who
returns broken. Caring for him is
but common dccency
In the recent Senate debate over
the bonus bin Senator McCumber,
arguing for the bonus, held up to
scorn the record made here at home
when the boys We're in the fight
across the water. Some will doubt
less remark; that is water which is
past" True, but considering how it
slipped past may help to properly re-
ceive the water which is approach
ing. Anyhow it is Il scathing account
of conditions which should never be
permitted To escape attention. 1t APP
plies with far greater force to con-
sideration of provisions for the dis
abled veterans than to provisions for
the able bodied
What we there observed we found
to be the almost universal rule over
the whole country--in every shipyard
and wherever Government work was
being conducted and at time when
the very life OF the cause for which
We were batting depended upon our
getting ships aflout to meet the L
boat ravages, any man who could saw
a rough board or drive a nail and did
qualify as carpenter received
his $40 per day whether he was so
per cent. efficient or per cent eff
ciCnt,' continued Senator McCumbcr.
of the force employed in the con
Struction of the buildings | have
mentioned. not more than one third
were in action at any given moment.
Il never saw Il single ShoVeler in
digging shallow trenches for the
foundations move more than three
shoVelS of earth before stopping to
take a rest OF visit, and generally not
more than two. | have seen eight
men-as many as could get hold of Il
, by 6 fourteen foot joist--slowly
move one after another from loaded
truck, carry them some little dis
lance and gently lay them down Two
good men could have unloaded them
in half the time.
These carpenters of whom I am
speaking received their $40 u day for
week days and $40 a day for Sundays
and holidays, SO they all worked sun
days. and most of them laid off on
Monday To make the snap last longer
Testimony shows that work in our
shipyards was far below so per cent.
efficient though the wages were in
creased 500 per cent. and more The
blood OF the patriotic soldier must
have boiled with Indignation to feel
that WhilcSh;S Government estimated
his services, including his board and
clothing. at about So per day, with all
the risks and All the hardships it su-
pinely submitted to--nay, it invited
increase in the wages of civilians
which We knew and the soldier knew
must be measured by Il Government