Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1922-09-27
Text of Harding Message. We
toing Bonus Measure.

tong Bonus Measure.
Washington, Sept. 19.-President
Hardiag's bonus veto message fol-
lows:
4 <sTo- the House of Representatives:
Herewith is returned without ap-
proval HR-10s74, a bill 'to provide
abused compensation for the vet
erans of the world war and for other
purposes
s.With the avowed purpose of the
bill to give expression of nations
gratitude to those who served in its
defense in the world war, I am in ac-
cord, but to it's provisions / do not
subscribe. The United States never
will cease to be rateful, it cannot
and never will be given expression to
that gratitude.
.sIn legislating for what is called
adjusted compensation Congress fail
ed, first of all, to provide the revenue
from which the bestowal is to be
paid. Moreover, it establishes the
very dangerous precedent of Great
ing a treasury covenant to pay which
puts burden variously estimated
between four and FIVE billions upon
the American people not to discharge
an obligation which the government
always must pay, but to bestow bo-
nus which the soldiers themselves,
while serving in the world war, did
not expect.
s.It is rot to be denied that the ma
tion has certain very binding obliga-
lions to those of it's defenders, who
made real sacrifices in the world
war, and who left the armies wound
ed, disabled or diseased so that they
could not resume their places in the
norma! activities Of life. These obli-
cations are being gladly and gener-
ously met. Perhaps there are here
and there ineficiencies and injustices
and some distressing instances of neg
lect, but they are all unintentional,
and every energy is being directed
to their earliest possible correction.
No Complaint About Cost.
'sIn meeting this obligation there
is no complaint about the heavy cost.
In the current fiscal year we are ex-
pending s51O,OO0,O0O on hospitaliza-
tion and care of sick and wounded,
on compensation and vocational train
ing for the disabled and for insur-
ance.
The figures do not include the
more than sS5,OoO,ooo in process of
expenditure on hospital construc-
tion. The estimates for the year to
follow are approximately $470,O00,-
900. Though the peak in hospitaliza-
tion may have been passed there is a
growth of domicilization and the dis
charge in full of our obligations to
The diseased, disabled or dependent,
with insurance liability added, will
probably reach a total sum in excess
Of s25, 100000.
"More than $4,000 veterans are
now enrolled in some of the 445 diff
ferent courses in vocational training.
approximately $4,000 others
have completed their courses and
have employment in all cases where
they desire it, and $4,000 have de-
ferred for the present time their ac-
ceptance of training. The number
eligible under the law may reach
close to 100000.
"Two hundred and seventy-siX
thousand patients have been hospi-
talized, more than quarter of mil
lion discharged, and 25,67S patients
are in our hospitals today.
''Four hundred and sixteen thou
sand awards of compensation have
been. made on account Of death or
disability, and $4S0,OOO,OOO have
been paid to disabled men or their
dependent relatives. One hundred
and seventy-fve thousand disabled
ex-service men are now receiving
compensation along with medical or
hospital care where needed, and
quarter of million checks go out
monthly in distributing the eight
millien dollar payment on indisput-
able obligations.
Must Pay for Self.
81 recite the figures to remind the
norrroec how uanarors)v and how