The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-09-21
Soldiers Bonus
Bill Discussed
CONTINUED from last issue)

this bill, its provisions and purposes
would be lacking in fairness and
justice II 1t failed at the outset to
correct general misnomer Of the
bill itself. This proposed legislation
is generally referred to as the
soldiers bonus bill" No name
could be applied that would be more
irrelevant. It is worse than errone-
GUS. 1t stamps upon a just and un-
questioned national moral obliga-
ton the designation "gratuity." The
purpose Of this bill in no sense seeks
to express national gratitude by
a money gift to our soldiers. It is
not so intended by it's supporters,
and the veterans of the World War
would not so accept it. It is just
what. its title reads, a bill to provide
adjusted compensation for the vet
Grams of the World War. It is not
a bonus bill, and fairness to
country and soldier alike requires
that we should exclude the word
bonus in referring to it.
In simple, plain English, the pur-
pose of this bill is to give to the
soldier who offered his life with his
services compensation that will
more nearly approach that of the
laborer who remained at home, Sc
cure from danger, and whose con-
pensation increased from 200 to 800
per cent and measured by the
amount of labor actually performed,
far beyond those figures. Let's say
what we mean. Say adjusted COM
| pensation.
Fifteen states have provided for
adjusted state compensation for
their ex-service men, California,
Oregon, and Wyoming, our sister
states have done handsomely by
their soldier boys. Idaho has not
passed any beneficial legislation
other than giving ninety days
priority on land filing, and the
$1,000 from the state for memorial
| providing the county pays an equal
amount. This is deplorable, and
| should be rectified at the coming
session of the legislature. The big
business interests of the U. S. are
all opposed to the bonus bill. The
U. s. Chamber of Commerce is fight
ing it bitterly, declaring that the
proposed legislation would increase
the liabilities of the U. S. govern
ment beyond any point in the
history of the country. Wall street
is fighting it vicuously. In 1917
Canada paid adjusted compensation
to her soldiers and it has neither
wrecked nor impoverished the gov
eminent, quite the contrary.
,, How the Bonus Wrecked Canada
In 1919 Canada paid adjusted
compensation to her soldiers. The
| married veteran who served three
years received $500 in cash, besides
the privilege of cheap insurance and
loan of up to $1,000 on land-com-
pensation much more generous than
would be accorded by this country
under the provisions Of. the legion's
bill now pending in congress, COM
pensation especially liberal in view
of the proportion of ex-service men
in Canada to those in the United |
States. Certain financiers say a |
bonus" would wreck this country. |
Here is how it wrecked Canada:
Canada enabled $4,000 service |
men to get farms which in 1920
produced crops worth $13,935,178l
and this may have something to do
with the difference in Canada's
favor in the comparative cost of
commodities.
Today, we are told by market let
tiers of various financial concerns,
Canadian business is prospecting. |
Canadian stocks and bonds are
selling in the United States by the
millions, recommended as safe, con-
sentative investments. The Province
of Ontario recently marketed bonds
in this country, for example, with an
interest rate of a fraction over 5 per
cent, the same return that the best
securities in this country pay today.
Yes, the "bonus" will ruin this
country. 1t ruined Canada. Only
somehow they don't seem to realize
it. Perhaps someone ought to tell
them.
The bonus has not ruined Canada.
Then why should it ruin the United
States.
The Associated Press carried the
announcement September 1, 1922
that the Canadian dollar was quoted
at par, the first time since before the
World War.
During the war of the revolution,
it is matter of historical record
that George Washington as an ex-
service man of the Continental line.
obtained an adjustment of ,compsen-
sation from his native state of Vir-
ginia, in 1855, grant of 5000 acres
of land, in what is now Miami
county, and congress paid him $64,-
Ais for his personal expenses. 1t is
also a matter of historical record
that the state of Virginia in graft
tude for his services, presented Gen.
eral Washington with fifty shares in
the Potomac Canal company, valude
at $4,000, and General Lafayette
was also granted $4,000 pay and
emoluments while in the service of
the U. S. by special act of congress.
Later he was granted another bonus
of 100000 and 100000 acres of
land in Florida, and it has not been
considered reflection on the repu-
tation or patriotism Of either one of
these generals to accept or receive
their bonus or bounty as it was
called in those days.
The principal objections to the
bonus bill come from Wall street.
General Washington openly advo.
Gated compensation for all the
patriots who fought under him dur
in tho DouaJu%;oy WIZ. ,,,o,x