Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1922-02-23

condition was, whether he dead alive. In
your station Mr. President you could have learned, but
the ordinary the common citizen could hear
what had become of his boy and the boy could write
back and tell him, They think that they were in the
midst of strange people, speaking language they did
comprehend, undergoing the seventies OF climate
which they were unused Think OF the pain of the long
march, think of the suffering OF the hungry soldier think
Of the suerngs of the soldiers packed in box
close together for from II to "a hours time that there
for anybody to lie down to snatch a NOM
ens sleep. Do you tell that after soldier has und
ergone all this and been strong enough maintain his
health when he home he should be treated as if he
had left it, and had undergone these sever
ties OF service abroad 5000 miles from his own country:
Of the 100000 of draft age who stayed at home
how many of them underwent an hour of which
nearly every private soldier will tell you he, time
other had endure of the very necessities of the
case?
do understand Mr.. President why there would be
any effort attach odium the word bonus COM
pensaton" 7 should like to undertake to occupy po-
stion which would that reproach the memory of
he Father of His Country Washington took his bonus
from the French and Indian War; did all his soldiers
magnificent bonus in the way of land grants Washing
ten took his bonus for his service in the Revolutionary
War, He did OF get disabled; he through two wars
and received scratch; yet nobody doubted his
bravery. He exposed himself like private soldier He
said himself that the whistle of bullets by his ears was
sweet music but he took the bonus although prouder
lived Surely he would have degraded him
self in his eyes if the taking of bonus was degrad-
alton.
r.
believe, Congress voted him bonus of 100000 and 20
acres of land in Florida Land in Florida may not at
that time have been very valuable but the 100000
hat time would be equaled today by million dollars AL
lowing for he difference in the value of the dollar if Con-
should pass equivalent appropriation today it
WOULD be for 81 100000 at least
Mr.. President about one-haf of the land of Tennessee
its title back the bonus land warrants grant
ed to the soldiers of the Indian and the War of 1872
Great States in the west such as Kanas and Nebraska
settled made into farms, and beautifed by the SOL
ders who drew them bonuses by way of land
eW told that the country is in great Distress and
that the soldier take his share along with the others
and wait for the general revival Unless this Congress
does something his hair will be white before he takes in
any such revival There be no revival in this country
of money has been Withdrawn from it in the last
year o so
1t is true, Mr. President that our people are being taxed
white that their burdens crushing is true that not
single dollar by way of increased taxation should be put
upon them. will not for this bonus if you put a
sales tax to it. will not vote for it if you put gaso-
line tax to it will not vote for it if you put an in
creased postage rate to it On' hose conditions I would
spurn it. and know the soldiers would The soldiers do
not want to tax their bonus of themselves and out Of
their neighbors and friends ehought the proposition
of the Senator from North Carolina (Mr Sn,mons) was
perfectly feasible and just He proposed that the bonus
be raised of the debts which England and France owe
US 1t would be an ideal raise it These men fought
Tor England and fought for France when without their
valor those countries would have been submerged What
would be equitable than that those countries in re-
paying the money which financed their military operations
should ay the bonus the soldiers who fought to save
England and France?
The Senator who had charge of the refunding bill the
Senator from North Dakota (Mr. McCumber), rejected
that proposition but promised that he or his committee
would soon report bonus bill to the Senate 1 is onlv
tar to h n to assume that he is going to do it. but Mr.
PRESIDENT since the rejection of the plan offered by the
Senator from North Carolina would raise the bonus this
way; would put back into circulation the money that
mas been withdrawn from it. in numbers s.
600 That would give to the soldiers and give it now
Soo apiece Then next year, let take up the subject
again and deal with in the light of the circumstances
which then surround us. No man can tell what will be
the condition of this country and this government wear
from now The issuance of the $20OOOOOOOO you'd end
unemployment inspire enterprise and usher in an era Of
prosperity.
thought the plan proposed by the Senator from North
Dakota (Mr McCumbe) far from perfect 1t seemed
10 me crude unsatisfactory most burdensome to the
ernmen and not offering much promise to the soldier
think the plan OF the Senator from North Carolina mr.
omons) was very nearly ideal in its character can
not understand why those who are sincerely favor 90