The Washington herald., 1922-09-29
Passing of the Bonus.

Passing Of the Bonus.
THE soldier bonus issue, we presume, is dead
/ Some other Congress may try to revive it.
Other politicians may seek to it as political
football. But as the river of time drifts on from
the misty, blue days of the Argonne the men Of
the mud-coated legions see less and less prospect
of getting any further compensation The river
itself is winding out of the foggy country Of
cynicism and dependency into fields that are
green and sunny for many of Uncle Sans for
soldiers.
1t will be well if the bonus is forgotten. It
will be well if the men who have based their fu-
ture plans the uncertain prospect OF obtaining
it turn their energies towards obtaining some un-
questionable reward-through still harder work
and still more patriotic service. 1t has been a
nightmare over many pillow. The soldier
knows that he has no money comng-that the
only reward he expect is unbounded oppor-
tunty in the land of eternal opportunities. For a
few months he will be cynical. For few months,
perhaps, he will talk of the ungratefulness of the
nation which he served. That is natural result
of disappointment. But the feeling will wear away
The man himself will be better perhaps, because
the country demands that he stand entirely on his
own feet, dependent man, expecting aid
from man.
Uncle Sam has not been particularly migrate
full, however it may appear in the false light of
the present. He has been more generous to the
veterans of the last great than to the men
who fought in any past There is every prob
ability that this generosity will continue as the
of St. Mhiel and the Argonne find gray
threads in their hair. 1t has not been in the ma
ture Of republics empires to reward extrava-
gantly the who fight their battles After all,
the world has not changed great deal in the
past 400 years. Before Shakespeare the ablest
dramatist of the day, Christopher Marowe, in
serted the following striking dialogue in his drama,
! "The Troublesome Reign and Lamentable Death
of Edward II'-
(Enter three poor men)
Gaveston: But how now, what are
Poor Such as desire your worships
service.
Gaveston: What canst thou do?
First poor ride.
Gaveston: But l have no horses-what
art thou?
Second poor A traveller.
Gaveston: Let me see. Thou wouldst do
we'll to wait on my trencher and tell me lies
at dinner time, and l like your discoursng,
I'll have you. And what art thou?
Third poor man: A soldier that has
served against the Scot.
Gaveston: Why, there are hospitals for
such you 1 have no war, and therefore,
sir, begone.
1t was thus. And Christopher Marlowe
was reputed to have seen some service in the
army in his day.
1t is almost bromide to say that the world
war veterans already have bonus. 1t is poor
salve for the disappointment thousands Of them
feel 1t pays no bills. 1t gives comfort in the
cold, uncertain present. They see around them
prosperous who laid the foundations of their
success in the halcyon days OF war when wages
were high and work plentiful for those who stayed
at home. They, many of them at least, walk the
streets while war profteers ride by in magnificent
cars. Some of them hardly be blamed if they
say that this is unjust world and an unjust
country But let us ask any of them one
question, and let him it honestly. Would
you change places with the man who made money
out of the war?
OF course, many will without think
| ing and without weighing the difference: Eyes"
But few, we believe will make such an answer
after giving the question due consideration.
Few sons of Eve, are confident when all
is said and one do not value a ribbon to stick
| in their coat than they value a million dol
lars or do not value little bronze or silver star
more than the Golfers of the richest war profteer
| 1t is not time for the pride and the vision vet
| The lingering fogs of still drift before the
| eyes as the crafts of life float down the great
| river. But there greener and SUMMER pros
poets just ahead-fertile valleys and castled hills
And the ships of those who profted financially
from the war, we hope, still caught hopelessly
| on snags in the country of the mists and muddy
| waters.
team OF Scottish swimmers will attempt