The Washington herald., 1922-03-12
Bonus on Grounds of Logic.
To tile Editor, The Washington Herald:

Comments are numerous from op-
ponents Of the soldiers bonus. ana
many a rank statement from legis-
Iators. organizations and individ-
uals is made in opposition to this
very worthy cause and going into
the press unchallenged.
The usual line OF argument that
is made by these people is along
one channel: 1t is wrong in prin-
ciple. That our soldiers were bet =
ter paid and better cared for than
any others. That our forefathers
who fought our wars were never
granted a bonus. and that it taxes
all the people for the benefit OF .
class of people.
Taking the last argument first. II
is certainly a damaging admission
to state that the American soldier
is class as opposed to the mass
of the American people. IL this Is
true they had no right to demand
this soldier class OF 1917 to leave
domicile, business and station in
life to become a member of that
class. Happily. however, they do
not constitute a class. They were
called upon to serve for the benent
of the masses, for the safety OF the
republic and the welfare OF the
government and all its people. They
served to protect their own interest
and the interest of all the rest
Therefore, il. the soldier served the
whole people. then II is debt OF
the whole people to pay him what
is Justly due him. What is just is
not a matter of principle. but
matter of fact to be found from
study OF conditions as they existed
during the period of the war. l DC
not see where this transgresses any
established principles laid down in
any American doctrines. nor do i
find any precedent to support the
view that there is a principle op-
posed to the bonus. Principle is
settled rule of action.
Our soldiers were not better paid
than some of. the other countries
who fought beside them. At least
two countries paid as much base
pay to enlisted men, and one PAID
more. The degree of care is not
material. but il was not more than
the average soldier of our allies
received. either in the way of food
clothing. or other attentions. In
sufficient wooden clothing during
the winter Of 1917 was the rule anc
not the exception. The food was
good enough but nothing to bras
about. 1t was worth only what II
cost: 40 cents a day for each sol
dier. His medical care and atten-
ton was in many instances Eood
but in instances the. sick died fol
want of proper care, facikties and
attention, especially during the In
fuenza and spinal meningitis cpl
denies. Hospitals were as otter
conducted by inefficient personnel
as by efficient. However. they die
the best they could on cents a
day per man. They were during ths
winter of 1917 quartered In yer!
| unsatisfactory, unhealthy and colo
quarters. but this was due to ths
circumstances, and not to neglect
The care given the soldier is not 9
question Of compensation. 1t Is MOI
considered So by the government
1t is rather a question of policy anc
of duty. 1t Is a part of the wal
scheme, the plan of defense, ano
I in preparing an army for conflict
Hence the great noncombatan'
branches Of the service. Every cart
z a
benefit Of the soldier, nor as par
of his compensation, but rather fol
the benefit of the government. HI
; Is fed. clothed and made to submit
I to a uniform regulation of conduct
to undergo frequent medical in,
spection, sanitary inspections anc
health regulations. not for his ben
eft as an Individual, but so that HI
will be fit for duty and service fol
the purpose for which the govern
ment wishes to use him. The bet
ter the care Of a soldier, the better
the soldier, and the quicker. ant
better the results for the govern
ment. l see no place where the de
gree of care affects the question o.
! a soldiers bonus. From a humane
! viewpoint all governments should
extend the highest degree OF carr
for it's soldiers that IL Is possible
( for them to extend. In our OWL
case think this was done. thou
sands of cases of individual hard
ships. mistakes and other unpleas
ant things notwithstanding. Non'
of these questions could possibl!
contribute to the question of com
pensation. of individuals composing
the army.
I speak of the army because
am more familiar with that thai
the other two branches OF the sery
ice. but no doubt, the same genera
| conditions exist in all three of thes,
branches. =
Our former wars were fought b.
men Of great yalor. and with jus