Evening star., 1922-01-29


M diers' bonus? What will a
w soldiers adjusted conpen-
sation law cost the COVE
ernment? What are the main ques-
tions involved? * What have other
countries done in the way of bonus
to soldiers? These are questions the
people would like to have answered
before finally making up their minds
about getting behind or opposing a
soldiers adjusted compensation bill
now before Congress and causing
much discussion.
Evidently there has been much mis-
apprehension as to tho position OF
President Harding toward a soldiers
adjusted compensation bill. His
friendship for the veterans of the
world war was manifest when, in his
message Of July 12. 1921, urging the
recommitment Of the McCumber bill,
he said: "If the suggested recommit-
ment of this measure bore the merest
suggestion of neglect or a hint of
national ingratitude. 1 would not urge
it. 1t has been my privilege to speak
to Congress on our obligations to the
disabled and dependent soldiers and
the governments deep desire to prove
It's concern for their welfare. should
be ashamed of the republic if 1t failed
In its duty to them. Neither armistice
nor permanent peace puts an end to
the obligations of government to its
defenders or the obligations Of citi-
zens to the government. Mindful of
all these things, the administrative
branch of the government has not
only spoken. it has acted and has ac-
complished."
The President added in the same
message: Contemplating the tre-
mendous liability, which the govern
ment never will shirk, would be re-
miss in my duty if / failed to ask
congress to pause at this particular
time, rather than break down our
treasury from which so much is later
on to be expected. The defenders of
the republic amid the perils of war
would be the last of our citizenship
to wish it's stability menaced by an
individual pittance Of peace"
The President concluded: II know
the feelings Of my own breast and
that OF yours and the grateful people
OF this republic. But no thoughtful
person. possessed with all the facts,
is ready for added compensation for
the healthful, self-reliant masses of
our great armies at the cost of a
Treasury breakdown which will bring
Its hardships to all the citizens of the
republic"
The Presidents position was based
entirely on the financial condition of
the country last July. This was made
clear when he said the enactment of
the proposed compensation bill
would in all probability so add to
our interest rates that the added in
terest charge on new and refunded
Indebtedness may alone exceed the sum
it is proposed to bestow.''
There have been some ten soldiers
bonus or compensation bills intro
duced in the House. but only one in
the Senate. The Fordney bill passed
and the McCumber bill, before the
Senate in July. 1921. embody the
main features of all these bills and
are most likely to be accepted by
Congress If any measure is accepted
The McCumber and Fordney bills
unimportant features. The former
does not contain the provisions of
the latter called establishment of
projects" "co-operation with federal
and state agencies" allotment and
sale of lands" receipts from pro-
jects," and applicability of reclama-
ton law" Senator McCumber stated
that in the Senate bill everything
the soldier might secure is preserved
without Involving the country in any
new project with it's endless uncer-
tainties." A brief analysis of the
McCMmber bill will suffice to explain
The McCumber bill provides for five
optional plans: ~ Adjusted service
pay, (2) adjusted service certificates,
(3) vocational training, % farm or
home aid. and 80 land settlement aid.
In his report to the Senate. Senator
McCumber said: ''In simple. plain
give to the soldier who offered his
services compensation that will
more nearly approach that of the
laborer who remained at home. Sc
cure from danger, and whose COM
pensation increased from 200 to 300
amount of labor actually performed.
far beyond those figures. 1t is not a
bonus bill, and fairness to country
and soldier alike requires that we
should exclude the word bonus in
referring to it"
The McCumber bill and the Fordney
Dill exclude from their DenentS all
those given commissions while per-
forming merely clerical service in the
departments. Their benefits are also
limited to those below the grade of
captain in the Army or Marine Corps,
and lieutenant in the Navy and like
grade of officers.
Already Congress has voted two
months pay, or $50 to each soldier
on discharge. as extra pay or bonus"
Therefore, in both the Fordney and
McCumber bills, sixty days are de-
Quoted from the service Of each SOL
dier and sailor, at home or abroad.
It is proposed to pay 81 per day
for each days service in the United
States. and SIPS per day for each
days service overseas. less the sixty
days or $50 bonus already mentioned
and paid The cash payment FOR
home service is limited to $500. and
is to be paid in ten quarterly in
stallments The cash payment Tor
overseas service is limited to $625,
and is to be paid in installments.
Adjusted service certificates give
the veteran the option to take 1nsur-
ance payable at the end OF twenty
wears In event of death. his estate
will get the adjusted pay instead Tor
the twenty years. The veteran can