The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-02-22

is the difficulty which conirohts
the congress in solving this difficult
problen. I am aware Of the strong
sentiment in congress in favor of
this adjusted compensation. /
have spoken approvingly myself.
al, ays with the reservation that
the bestowal shall be made when
it may be done without such injury
to the country as will nu!iify the
benefits to the eX-service men
themselves, which this expression Of
gratitude is designed TO bestow.
'.It is an agreeable thing TO sug-
gest that. action be postponed
again. but, frankly. I do not find
myself favorable to the piecemeal
payment plan. which is manifestly
designed 10 avoid embarrassment
10 the treasury. The long drawn
out payments will not afford an ef-
fective helpfulness to the service
men.
I'VE have no serious problem IN
beginning the allotments of public
lands and the immediate use OF
paid-up insurance. The real diff
ticulty lies in. the payment OF the
cash bonus. Rather than provide
that the maximum cash payment
shall extend over n period Of two
and a half years. it would be vast
ly better bestowal if we could
await the day when ~a may safely
undertake to pay at once in full.
so that the award may be turned
to real advantage.
..Inasmuch as the treasury is to
be called upon TO meet more than
sc, 900. .000. 900 maturing obligations
in the lG months Immediately be-
fore us. it is not possible 10 rec
ommend the issue OF several hum
dred millions Of additional short
term notes. Further excessive bor-
rowing would likely undo all that
has been accomplished in read
justinS interest rates and stabilIZ-
ing the financial world. both vitally
essential to the resumption OF in
dustriai and commercial activities.
Granting that ii is not fair to
oppose any proposed plan without
offering 4 substitute, let me repeat
that ! believe the American pco-
pie Will accept the levy OF a gener-
al sales tax 10 meet the proposed
bonus payments, and We should
contribute thereby no added dif-
ficulties to the problems Of read
jUStment II congress Will not
adopt such n plan. It would be wise
to Let the legislation go over until
there is q situation which will JUST
~ the large outlay. We are driv-
ing for large economies. we are
pushing the disposition Of surplus
war property. and have other trans
actions under consideration which
ought to prove 4 great relief to the
federal treasury. II is not consistent
TO enact legislation in anticipation
Of these things. hut it would be 4
prudent plan TO await the Develop
mentS. and can See in such Il
post lponement no lack Of regard for
the service men in whom all the
American people are so genuinely
interested.
Il take it that the cX-service
men themselves are no less con
ccrned than others about the res
toration Of business and the return
to abundant employment Those OF
their wounded or sick comrades.
who We're impaired by their VIII
service are being cared Tor With
the most liberal generosity The ma
ton can hcStow. There are here
and there exceptional cases of neg
lcct and attending complaint. bat
we are seeking them out and cor
rectinS with al possible speed. u
has not been possible. TO meet I'll
the demands for special hospi,aliza-
ton. but we are building 70 that
end. without counting the cost, We
are eXpcnding $500 300. 60o a year
in compensation. disqualification
and rehabilitation. These things
are rccited TO rraSsurc YOU that
such delay as will cnahlc congress
10 act in prudence for the COM
mon good viii have no suggestion
or unmindfuineSs of ingra titude."