Evening journal., 1922-12-11
POLL VETERANS
ON NBONUS VIEW
League Urges FordneY to
Abide by Wishes Men
Express
OPPOSE MOVE TO
FORCE GIFT BILL

NEW YORK, Dec. 11.-Edwar'
l.. Allen. chairman Of the board o
trustees Of the ex-Seryice Mems Anti
Bonus League Inc. OF 10 west Forty
fourth street. made public last nigh
letter he has sent 10 1FeRfssefiia
tive Joseph W, For6ney, cha.EmaH
OF the WAYS and Means Committee
aealing with the avowed intentof
OF Mr.. Fordney again to Introduce
the bonus oil in Congress. Mr.
Allen asks Mr. Fordney not 70 in
troduce such bill at this time and
announces that the league is about
to conduct an impartial poll TO de-
terrine the position of the ex-service
men themselves on the bonus issue.
The Ex-Service Mems Anti-Bonus
League" SAYS the letter. desires to
inform you that IL the proposed
measure carries any provision to pay
abIe-bodied ex-service men a bonus
or any so-called adjusted compensa-
ton. or any other form of gift.
gratuity or pension. it will meet with
sa5ss vigorous Opposition fran THE
organization and its m m S
throughout the nation"
Mr.. Allen, in his letter, goes on 10
say;
ITO make clear our position In
the matter Mr.. Fordney we wish you
10 know that we are convinced OF
your absolute sincerity in the efforts
you have made and are making TO
do something for the boys who Of
fered their all on the altar of sacri-
fice that democracy might live We
highly commend the spirit that
prompts the utterance of such senti-
ments from the hearts Of our coun-
trymen II is fine and beautiful
and loyal. You and other Congress
men favoring a soldiers bonus have
been inspired by the highest and
most patriotic motives, we know
and 1t is lasting disgrace to the
honor of our country and the dignity
Of Congress that certain interests
have exploited your gratitude to the
advancement OF their own personal
and political ambition. You and
',,'-s f,irflgss on ser
gress have been led 10 believe things
that are untrue.
I'VE respectfully ask you 10 re-
frain from introducing any bill car
rying gratuities of any nature for
the able-bOdied ex-service man. In
our request we earnestly
urge you to take careful note OF the
following pertinent facts:
rfst- 4
service men in the United States. At
this writing only few more than
700. 900 are members OF the Ameri-
can Legion, with an immense shrink
age in sight. largely due to the le-
,.sss....esss, -4.e -s'sA .i.s,sisss- .llssss;
dues for next year fall due on the
first OF January.
20. Although repeated efforts
have been made by posts and mem
hers OF the American Legion 10 get
Its leaders to take an individual poll
of. It's members as 10 their stand on
the Question OF a bonus for the able
bodied ex-service man all such ef-
forts have been frowned upon and !
not even given official consideration. |
"3. over 100 posts OF the Ameri- |
IAN Legion throughout the nation |
have gone on record as being OPP
posed TO a cash bonus for the able
bodied ex-service man.
ALTHOUGH the Ex-Service Mems |
Anti-Bonus League has not yet es-
tablished divisional organizations in .
All States Of the Union. it neverthe- /
less has sounded the sentiment of ex-
service men throughout the ration /
on the bonus issue and we can state /
With the utmost assurance that It is 1
not true that majority OF the able
bodied veterans want a bonus. In .
tact we are convinced that quite the |
reverse is true; that not under any
would a majority OF |
he veterans OF the world war seek
1r expect nrom the Government any
Sind of a bonHs or compensation.
rhey value their services TO their
country far too high TO cheaper it
md themselves by seeking a money
eward for acts that can be meas
lred in terms OF dollars and cents.
you will find. we believe. that
our out OF every FIVE veterans who
ctualiy fought and suffered in the
aud filled trenches of France are in
earty accord with the principle to
rhich this league is dedicated; that
, serve ones country in time OF war
, a privilege as well as a duty and
hat to seek a material reward there
or is a violation of the fundamental
deals Of American citizenship and
n act repugnant to the spirit OF true
atriotisn.
ITO convince you and ether
riends Of the veteran in Congress
hat our contention as TO the atti-
ude as ne majority OF the ex-ser-
ice nsan or tha bonus question is
Iorrecs the g2x-Service Mems Anti