The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1922-03-22
WEDNESDAY, MAR. %, 1922
FORGOTTEN?

Saturday was the fourth anniver-
sary of the opening of the final drive
of the Germans against the AllieG
armies on the Western front, in the
World War. Four years ago today
the Hun hordes were plunging ruth
lessly through the Allied lines in
Belgium and France. The decisive
hour of the World War was approach
ing. All eyes were focused on Amer
lea and the mighty effort she was
making 10 throw her resources and
her battalions into the breach and
save the world and civilization. And
the almost unbelievable was accom-
plished. The invaders again were
turned back and peace with
victory assured. But before that
longed-for goal was reached many
gallant young American made, at
the end of the long hard road, the
supreme sacrifice. But they gave
themselves willingly and proudly,
while the nation at home showered
them with praises and promises.
They were told that, when they came
marching home, nothing would be
too good for them. But now only
four short years have passed and
it sometimes looks as if we were
trying our best to forget those gal
liant lads.
Yes, the war is over, thank God,
but what of the heroes who sleep in
Flanders Fields" while the agony of
their loss still grips the hearts of
their loved ones around us? Is it
over for the army of invalids who
are still suffering in our hispitals,
sanitariums and asylums? The Gov
eminent has its chance to show its
appreciation of the patriotism of
our boys who rallied to its support
in its time of need.
Every possible care should be ac-
corded our ex-service men and an
honest effort made to adequately
compensate them in so far as is rea-
sonably possible. A good beginning
has been made, but justice will not be
fully done until each man is accord
ed adjusted compensation, or, as il
is popularity called, bonus. II is
not that the veterans fought for
meIcenary reasons for the pay was
ridiculously small and the hope OF
reward pointed to an indefinite flu
ture. Neither is the obligation OF
such legislation determinable by the
organized demand OF the veterans
themselves or its absence. The
whole question is, as we see il, one
OF elementary justice. The civilian
war workers and the war-contract |
manufacturers did their bit and were
well paid for It; the shipping trust
and the railroads, the big inter-
ests and the politicians. all have
Jared well at the public trough, but
only a crumb awaits the doughboy
and the COB, the real saviors of the
nation. The favored classes who
have had theirs, tell us patronizing-
ly that the bonus would be bad, yea.
a ruinous business policy. II seems
we have an unlimited supply OF pub
lie money for every governmental
parasite, but only a pittance for the
boys who won lover there" We
don't pretend TO be economists, but
we know rank injustice when we
see il.
As to a method OF financing the
bonus, there are a number OF practi-
cable methods which could be adopt
ed without serious results TO the
business OF the country and without
entailing an onerous burden on the
individual citizen. Any OF the plans
for raising such revenue that have
been suggested would probably prove
adequate and satisfactory except
the proposed sales tax. Such a tax