The New York herald., 1922-02-14
~ Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c.. Feb. 13.

Special Dispatch TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. c.. Feb. 13 )
Following is the complete text of the
speech of Senator William E. Borah
of Idaho in the Senate to-day on the
subject of a soldier bonus. Included
are the remarks made in the accom-
panying debate by Senators Warren
(Wyo.), King CUtak). Jones IN. Nd,
Edge On. J.) and Glass (Va.)
'"rhe so-called adjusted compensation
bill, but more popularity known as the
bonus bill. is not Immediately before the
Senate, but the subject is one which is
perhaps entertaining the consideration of
the members of Congress more than any
other subject now on the calendar or to
be on the calendar in the immediate flu
ture. Therefore / think it not inapprop-
riate to discuss the matter.
'~rhere are two features of the matter
which Immediately present themselves
for consideration. The first Is the eco
nomic feature OF it; the other involves
fundamental principle of government.
The former question is perhaps the most
immediate and vital. although the latter
should in the end be more controlling.
i shall not undertake to discuss the lat
ter question at the present time but as
the debate proceeds it will undoubtedly
come along for discussion.
THE disabled soldier stands out and
apart from the rest of the citizens of the
country and Is entitled to receive and
does receive and will receive the gra-
cious consideration of his Government
at all times There is no difference of
view so far as I know as to the obliga
tion of the Government to equalize as
~ IL <>t.. 20 a.. 4
abled soldier in the struggle of life. and
what we are doing and what we propose
to do with reference to the disabled SOL
diers is a matter of much concern. and
has its bearing upon the bonus bill as to
general compensation or as to the bonus.
Effect on Disabled Soldiers.
'The legislation which is proposed
with reference to the soldier who has re-
turned unimpaired in health or in mind
will have it's immediate bearing upon the
ability and the willingness of the Gov
ernment to discharge its obligations to
the disabled soldier. 1t is therefore i'm
portant to inquire what is the obligation
which we are taking upon the Govern
ment and which the Government must
assume with reference to the disabled
soldier and what will be its probable ef-
feet or how will it be affected by the
legislation which is proposed with ref
ere- TO general compensation.
'i call attention in the first place to
some figures bearing upon the question
of appropriation for the disabled soldier
up to this time.
I'm 1918 we appropriated $179, PSI, 800 for
allowances or benefits on account of
soldiers and sailors who participated in
the world war; in 1919 we appropriated
sS9,253,S33: in 1920, S309.193.993; in
tv,
making total for those five years Of
$1.175. .605.426.
"On Saturday last we passed a bill
carrying an appropriation in round fig
ures of $406. .03S,S ,S44. I am not sure that
that is the exact amount for which the
bill passed the Senate.
Senator Warren (Wyo.. "The Senator
need add IS cents only to make the
amount correct"
Later Increase Expected.
Mr.. Borah: ''Forty-five cents. That
appropriation will have to be increased
later, and 1t is perfectly safe to say
that appropriation bills passing and
those which are to be taken care of in
the immediate future will carry at least
$500. 200 for the disabled soldiers and
sailors of the late war"
Senator Warren: "If the Senator will
for deficiency bill of 500, 600 to COM
plete 1922"
Senator Borah: "Then there should
be added to the figures for 1922. really.
IN addition to the ss30,250.400 about
sss. 1000. .000."
Senator Warren: about 500, 900. 900; not
less than that
Senator King. Utah: "I think, in addi-
tion to the figures stated by the Senator
from Idaho and those just given by the
Senator from Wyoming. there are a
great many other items that are found
In other appropriation bills, but the
amounts ought to be directly chargeable
to this branch Of the service"
Senator Warren: IT did not mind the
1922 figures. because we had one or two
large appropriations In deficiency bills.
but I assume that the Senator already
had those figures. / desire to say.
however. that there is quite a good
deal of expense in the Public Health
Service and other such services, as the
Senator from Utah has stated, which
while Il cannot be enumerated and
brought down to figures to add to this
yet. there is a good deal of additional
money because of the support of our
veteran service that goes out in other
bills"
Growth of Burden.
Senator Borah: ''Yes I think there
fore It Is a very modest statement when
I say that we will appropriate $780,
100000 for the coming year TO take care
of those who were engaged in the late
war. OF course that Is only the be-
ginning. The amount which we are
now appropriating will continue to grow
very rapidly for the next thirty years.
II venture to say that within the
next ten years we will be appropriat-
ing 81, 900. 100000 n year for the disabled
soldiers and sailors OF the late war;
No one will complain 80 long as the
appropriations are based upon the
necessities and the requirements of the
disabled soldiers. and call attention
to the matter only that we may know
something OF the burden which we are
compelled TO assume and which we will
be under obligations TO take care OF
from year TO year
These young men who came home
aome OF them supposing, many Of them
thousands of them and hundreds OF
thousands of them. supposing that they
were I'm good health. uninjured and un-
impaired in mind or body. find that the
subtle diseases which they contracted
or injuries which they received or the
hardships they were compelled to un-
dergo have unltnowingiy TO them un-
dermlncd their health. and many times
their minds. and day by day the num-
ber we will have TO take care of is