The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-02-21
An All-Beneficial Bonus.

To the Editor, The Washington Herald:
lingo. according to Webster,
means "one in favor of an aggres-
sive foreign policy" and the bonus
policy Is both very foreign and Its
PROPONENTS very aggressive.
IL I remember correctly when We
got into the world war there we $.
quite a sentiment against the draft
policy. feeling possibly enough boys
would be patriotic to volunteer as
did our fathers before us. Added
to this sentiment thai enough boys
would volunteer, was the whole
home but misspplied sentipen; that
I'VE will take care of the buys
when they get back-that these
boys will have their same jobs held
open for them"
But the draft prevailed as q POI
icy. as a very commoR-sense poll
'Cy: but giving the boys their old
jobs back" inevitably lsjed imto
the limbo Of lhirSs because - its
impracticability dua to economic
and social conditions.
Nations as well as individuals
forget. Forget because few of US
read our history TnderstandinEiy.
During the civil war most OF the
soldiers were volunteers. But in
1868 tie draft at was passed, and
except for the Now famous New
d York City draft riots aud SINE
other minor troubles, the draft was
in effect until the close of the
war. Sometime after the war. tris
government began to pay pensions
to ex-soldiers, not. however. be-
cause they had been soldiers. cut
because they needet, the money. 1t
was not paid in d lump sum, nut
monthly. As years passed by the
pension laws became mole Liberal
until today, IL ] am not mistakcG.
every Union soldier draws not ,,ss
than $50 per month. TVS docs not
OF course, take into Cohs'uerat on
the soldier who was IN ;apac!tated
while in service or to cases trace.
able to the service rendered. As
soon as this country could ;irAnce
itself. it also paid pensions q.
Revolutionary and other war vet
Grams.
When the world war policy of q
draft was put into effect, another
very wise policy was perfected.
that of soldier insurance. That II
has not worked smoothly or an
GENTLY is not due TO the wise ooI-
icy. but to the inherent weakness
of men.
The war being over and the boys
stranded, or at least many of them.
immediate funds were needed by
the individual to tide him over.
Then the idea, brilliant maybe,
maybe not. was born of some senti-
mental patriot, that a bonus should
be paid the boys for doing their
duty. irrespective of the needs Of
the individual. At first this Graei-
Gus thought prevailed, because all
OF us were more grateful that
words can express. But on sober
second thought the desire boiled
down to practical operation met
with the cold. hard economic prob
lem of money available or obtain
able.
During the meantime. or up to
the present date. many of the boys
secured positions who were physic-
ally able to work, some did not.
But 1t only needs the mention Of
public funds" to carry the idea
of get mine while the getting Is
good" Get it, but get it for moth
ing, il IL is the only way - get t..
for SO many think "it costs me
nothing for Uncle Sam must pay
it,"
To take care of the boys who
were stranded when they refined
from the war was our duty, ara
those in power should forever hol1
their heads down in shame because
they did not provide such :,rGs
1T, was possible and practicable
then. for the American public
would have subscribed 100000
o0o for such reliet at that time.
Why! Because II was needed.
TODAY $1,000. 100000 for bonus
would serve only a few bows IN
need whereas the most of the
money would be spent foolishly.
The boys now in need tmeaning
the physically At. for this oohus