The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-16
THE BIG QUESTION.

Advices emanating from Washing
ton point to the likelihood of APPROX
al of the bonus plan by the house Of
representatives. A majority in the
senate also is said to be in favor OF IL.
But there has developed in congress,
in business circles, and even among
the service men themselves a consid-
cradle element of opposition. Moth
ing. perhaps, could do so great an in
jury to the cause as an open fight in
the ranks Of the American Legion.
Two questions are involved in the
legislation that proposes to provide a
bonus for the able-bodied soldiers who
participated in the European. war.
One involves a matter of principle
whether the country is obligated or
should be impelled for any considera-
ton to donate sum estimated at
from $500, 900, 900 to $500, 900. 900
10 those in the service whether they
were on the battlefront or not, and
whether or not they were injured or
disabled. The other involves the prob
lem OF finding the funds for this vast
outlay.
Undoubtedly congress would like to
dispose of the whole matter by merely
committing the country to this pro-
gram and not be forced to designate
the source of the revenue. This would
not be enough. The president has de-
clared with emphasis that bonus legis-
lation must be accompanied by a sat
isfactory means of raising the money.
Voicing opposition to the bonus, the
Wollman Review says:
Let it be understood at the outset
that it is thru no lack of gratitude
that intelligent opposition to the bonus
arises. No money reward, whether in
the form Of adjusted compensation"
or any other term by which it may be
described. can. ever repay those who
risked Their lives amid the horrors of
war on the western front. The entire
wealth of the nation estimated at
some two hundred and fifty billions of
dollars, could afford no adequate re-
turn. There are some things that
money cannot measure. One is the
response to the call of country in q
time of national peril. The only COM
pensation for such heroism and spirit
of sacrifice is the satisfaction over a
noble deed nobly done.
To those who watched thru misty
eyes the departure of our youth on
their great adventure, fired by a spirit
that was not eXcelled even by that of
the old Crusaders. the demand for IL
bonus tha< will bring financial disas-
ter to the country they fought to save
seems we'll nigh incredible. What
has become of their patriotism They
went away as the saviors of cviliza-
ton, and as a result OF this pitiful
c!amor for q pittance they are made
to appear-in the light of hired meree-
naries. The whole episode is one of
the most demoralizing in the history
of the nation.
To those who were wounded. or dis
abled by gas or disease, to the depen-
dents of the helpless or those who
made the supreme sacrifice. the peo-
pie of the country owe a debt which
nothing could prevent them from pay
ing. Every high-minded American
has resented with indignation the in.
efficiency with which our wounded
soldiers have been cared for. No pa
triotic citizen of the United States will
object to paying even more than his
full share toward the maintenance in
comfort of these victims of the great
-copfli-t.
But when it comes to the attempt to
measure patriotic service in dollars
whether that service was performed
on the battlefront or in the countless
executive positions in this country.
an entirely different view may be
taken. That service was not per
formed for pay. 1t was a duty that
every country has a right to demand
of its citizens or subjects. The cry for
bonus cannot be camouflaged by
calling it adjusted compensation"