The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-03-21
DIGEST OF BONUS.
Continued from Page >

cram. state and nation is sufficient to
win approval for the entire bill In the
first place, it goes about retaining
hitherto unproductive farm lands, hene-
fitting individual states and the nation.
Then it provides work i'm the reciama-
tlOn Tor lobless men. Again. 1t attracts
TO the farm young men who have the
pioneer instinct and enables them to be-
come productive citizens. ON easy terms.
1t is the most comprehensive rpclama-
ton project yet advanced in the CON
gresS and has Won the support OF mum
eTons factions that are interested III re
clamatl0n projects. ~ The reclamation
would be under strict supervision
and in no sense real estate speculation.
This is the bill the American Legion
has been backing, but the idea of
compeusating veterans OF the late war
did not originate with the Legion. The
Legion was not Incorporated until Sept.
IL. 1919, and its first national conven-
tion held Nov. 10. II and y OF that year.
md by that time - bills aleady were
lendmg in the house, designed TO com
lensate eN-serVIce men Tor the economic
handicap they had rendered their coun-
ny.
Before the Minneapolis convention a
legion committee called upon Mr. Ford
lev, the chairman Of the house ways
tuN NitdiS committee anu OlStNSSeu du-
uSted compensation. 1t was the unani-
nous opinion of Legion officers at that
-ime that action should be deferred up
On any of the pending - measures
NTH the eN-service men had had a
nance 10 express themselves ON the mat
ter
The subject was taken up at the first
Legion convention and the following
resolution adopted
.'N hereas the question of adjustment
IT compensation, or extra pay Tor service
men and women, Is now pending before
congress. and before acting thereon con
Tess has shown the disposition to await
he view of this convention upon the
subject: therefore. be it
" Resolved. That while the American
Legion was not founded for the purpose
If promoting legislation in its selfish
interest, vet it recognizes that our gov
'rnment has an obligation to all service
men and women to relieve the financial
disadvantages incident To their military
,erNicC-an obligation second only to
hat of caring for the disabled and for
he widows and orphans of those who
| sacrificed their lives, and one already
acknowledged by our allies-but the
Amcrcan Legion feels that it cannot
ask for legislation in its selfish interest
and leaves with confidence to congress
| the discharge of this obligation.
No further action was taken on the
| measure until February. 1920. when the
/ national executive committee of the
| age of bill paying $50 compensa ton for
| each month of service. In March, 1920.
the beneficial legislation committee of
| che Legion met in Washington and
framed four-fold bin for adjustment
I Of COMPENSATION The insurance option
was endorsed by the Legion national eX-
l Ncutive committee and introduced i'm the
| house BY Representative Fordney.
| The bill passed the house by a vote of
$50 to % and then went to the senate
| and was referred 80 the finance commit
| iourn and the committee had no chance
l TO hold hearings on the bill or to report
it.
| Congress reconvened Dee. ,, 1920, aud
| DELAYED action on the bill in the senate
until adjournment on March T. 1921.
| when all bills died. Recovering on
| April H. -fhe bill was re-introdueed in
| the house and senate. Hearings were
held at which the Legion was strongly
represented
On JULY l2.. President Harding adj
dressed the senate, asking it to recon-
NIT the bill to the finance committee.
/ This was done by a vote of A. to %
| The Legion in all states Immediately re-
| iterated their stand In favor of compen-
| sation and the Legion legislative COM
mittee notified the president that the
\ fght would be continued for enactment
of the law
When congress reconvened in Septem-
ber hearings were hegun in the house
and senate. that continued into 1922
| Principal attention was paid to the
means of raisng the money to pay com-
| DpnSation The Legion has refused To
| advise congress- how this should be done
| believing it Is the duty and province of
| congress > to determine how this valid
| claim shall be naid.
The Legion also has consistently held
= -. ri L.