The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-21
Is THn u- : uNeRRATEFUna


There appears to be among the men
who served under the American flag
in the World war a feeling that the
government is not giving them a
square deal. Senator Fernald of
Maine. who was in charge of the bill
recently passed unanimously by the
senate appropriating S17.OOO.eoO for
the construction of more hospitals for
the accommodation of disabled serv-
ice men, in the course OF his remarks
on the measure. gave statistics of
what the United States has done for
its soldiers in the World war as COM
pared with what was done in former
wars. and with what other govern
ments have DONG for their veterans.
that are worth the attention of every
person who thinks this country has
been negligent in that respect
Senators may be surprised to know
the difference in the treatment of the
soldiers by the different govern
ments." said Senator Fernald. Out
side OF Australia and New Zealand. no
government that was in any way con-
nected with the late war has paid
anything like what the United States
has paid her soldiers. Canada alone
paid her soldiers Ss3 per month. The
United States paid her soldiers $50
per month. Great Britain paid her
soldiers but s11.4O per month. Ger
many paid her soldiers IS per month.
France. Austria Hungary. Italy and
Japan paid their soldiers less than 81
per month. So senators may see that
in comparison with what other gov
ernments have paid. the United States
has been exceedingly generous"
No soldier of the Revolutionary war.
he pointed out. received a pension, for
over 40 years after the close of the
war. Of more than IS per month. AMI
that only in case of disability to such
an extent as to prevent his perform
ing manual labor. No soldier who
served in the war for independence
vas allowed a pension for any reason
except for injuries or disability in
Cured in the service. for AZ years.
No soldier of the war OF 1912 was
pensioned for any cause. except for
disability incurred in service. until 90
years after the war. No soldier of the
Mexican war received a pension. ex-
cept such as were wounded or dis
abled in the service. until 40 years
after the close OF the war. Those to-
tally disabled as the result of service
received 50 per month.
No soldier OF the Civil war who was
not injured or disabled by his military
service received any pension from the
government until 25 years after the
close OF the war.
At the close OF this fiscal year
said the senator. We will have ex-
pended during this 12-month period
for the benefit of the soldiers sass
0O0,OOO. twice as much as was ever
expended before in aid of the soldier
of any war. In concluding his re-
marks the senator said:
I want to say. in connection with
insurance. that $4,000 claims have
already been allowed; that there is
still IN force Insurance to the amount
or $500 100000, and no government
ever made such provision before for
the soldiers of any war. There are
handling at the department 1000 new
claims every day, in addition to the
100000 already on file, and employ
ing 5000 ex-service men In carrying
out the work.
In addition to the above, the Vet
Grams Bureau has allowed SO5OOo
compensation claims. and has paid OUT
in compensation benefits $500. 900 600
We are mailing out $4,000 checks
every month. representing an expen-
diture Of $43.0OO.OOO monthly: eiving
vocational training, without cost 10
100. 600 disabled ex-service men: pro-
vtding hospital care for $4,000 ex-
service men, at an annual expenditure
OF t6o.oOO.oOO; expanding 81 zoe. 600
cash every day for ex-Service men and
their dependents
So. Mr., President. since 1918 this
goyernment has expended $1.41O,oOO
600, and from now on, under the pro
visions OF the laws we have already
enacted. Il will cost this eovernr1s-,,
S4Ss.o0o. 900. twice as much as was
ever expended before for the soldiers
OF any war