The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-02-16
Barometer of Public OpinioR
Bonus Men Read Tlls!

Editor World; l have been an enthusiastic
reader OF your columns for sometime, and have
taken special interest In the discussions pro
and con, concerning the soldier bonus, which
appears under the Barometer OF Public Opinion
each day
From what 1 am able to gather from tho
articles favoriug cash bonus and from con-
versauons with former service men, II appears
that they simply wish to place u cash consd-
Grafton upon what has always been considered
their first duty to their country. regardless Of
bodied men and having steady employment, but
VINO Wish to increase the already heavy burden
OF the taxpayer.
why do we not hear similar complaints from
fhe men who have been wounded and manned
Tor life, and who are properly entitled to every
attention by thls government OF ours? Here is
tho answer: Every day in the year, including
Sunday. over one million dollars "a expended on
the ex-soryice men including their dependents,
Tor "A total OF SblO,00O,OO0 for the year. divided
rs follows, For vocational training, $l675O0, 600;
tor medical and hospital services S64 ,0OO, 900 4;
payments on war risk term insurance SS1, 700 .
9OOi for government life insurance, 5000. 600;
Tor soldier compensation, $l61 600 900; for
retroactive government allowance on proven
ana eNtant claims, S2,OOO,OOO and for admins
traton S31,bOO,000, not to speak of various
state cash bonuses amounting to $l91 1339,20c.
and SlbG,5O0,00O more in adjusted comLensa =
tion which will be distributed under legislation
already passed In different states. The Y. NJ.
c. a, has also beon paying for special corre-
spondcnce courses 10 eN-soldiers desiring such
courses In the midst of this huge conglomera- .
ton OF figures 10 refute the argument OF those
who claim nothing IS being done by Uncle sam
TO alleviate the physical and financial disability
OF his soldiers, have failed to mention a 500
bonus paid TO every soldier before the smoke
had hardly cleared from the battle field. And
still our brave warriors who went forth to fight
for those principles laid down by our ancestors,
who suffered hardships, innumerahle that pos
terity might enjoy the privileges and benefits OF
their patriotism and suffering, placing a
value on their privilege to uphold these trndi-
uons and all that is sacred. IL they succeed In
relieving Uncle Sans Golfers OF couple Of
billion dollars by the aid OF those who are
teathcrinE their nests through political expedi-
oncy In exchanging tho tax payers money for
votes, is this any assurance that the eX-service
men VIII not attempt the same thing again after
having disposed Of these funds as In the case
OF tho $50 bonus.
The argument is advanced that a large num-
ber OF former service men are out OF employ
ment and in need OF funds An unfortunate cir
cumstance we must admit. but what are we
going To do with several million other people
IN the same condition, who are in dire need OF
the necessities OF life. In the case of $50 600
dian Arts and Crafts foundation. and / am sure
" Uncle sam owes a debt to anyone IL Is these
Indians whom he has repeatedly broken treaty
supulations with from time TO time. The last
census showed that there were 52.6lT blind per
sons In the United States and hundreds OF
thousands OF other persons disabled physically
one way or tho other, What are we going 20 do
In their case?
II money must be spent why not confine II 10
all disabled people and give temporary assist
ance 20 all persons out OF employment. regard
less OF whether they had a chance to fight for
their country or not through sueh disability,
ana not include all able bodied persons with a
means OF livollhoodF Why bestow money upon
a particular class regardless OF whether they
are ncCdtul thereof or notP
In conclusion win say that I am q member
OF the American Legion bur cannot concur in
the cash bonus legislation they desire but arv
Tor the wounded and MANNED first. last and an
the lme' as we'll as all persons In distress
,- Very truly yours
Pawhuska Feb. IS. c. L. CHoUTEAU.