South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-03-09


Grams. we shall discriminate in a
manner quite without precedent
against the claims Of those who Of
fered TO their country. not property
but their youth and their lives
claims amounting 10 only a fraction
OF those already met for property.
We shall help 20 turn what IS in
tended 20 be. and what ought 20 be,
an expression Of gratitude. into a
source Of criticism and disparage-
ment Of those same veterans This
has. I'm fact. already resulted from
the agitation Of such proposals.
But can these claims for back pay
for the veterans be adjusted without
ruin and disaster 10 the business in
terests. and without ver-bur5ening
the taxpayers OF the country
] am confident that the necessary
revenue can be provided without
further borrowing. II the results OF
the recent conference for the limita-
ton OF ornaments are anywhere
near as substantial as we have been
led TO believe. the resultant econo-
mics in the appropriations for the
army and navy Will amount 10 at
least 5000. 100000 yearly. These are
economies that were not contem-
plated and taken account OF in next
years Budget The war finance
board which according TO present
legislation. viii begin liquidation on
July LIST. next has many millions
Of government money which will be
released. We are continually told
OF new economies being accomplish
ed by the Budget committee: and
that there are other economies in
prospect But even II these sources
did not exist merely the interest al
ready accrued. Of which f. annually
accruinS on the British debt, alone
would bbe sufficient to meet the sol
diers' claims. mention Great
Britain specifically because her sol
vency does not depend to the same
degree as that OF France and Italy
upon reparation payments from
Germany. and because the British
government has already begun 10
reduce it's own domestic debt. With
in the past week. i'm fact announce
ment has been made that payment
Of 5O.0O0.OOO pounds cover $500.
600 .OO0) I'm interest 10 the United
States has been arranged for in next
years British budget. In one OF
another of these ways. or by com
bining several Of these ways, our
veterans can he compensated with
out increased taxation, without In
creased loans. and without even
IL -
which arc owing us. Congress ought
i'm justice 20 the veterans. to Eass
the Adjusted Compensation act
without annexing special revenue
measures. and II not only ought 70
do SO. but IL can do so without fear
of serious embarrassment to the
treasury
Feelings of People.
There Is another aspect Of the
roblem which merits thoughtful
attention We can very we'll admit
that the debt which our government
| owes to the veterans is very like al
debts for services long since rem
dered. The feelings of many OF our
people toward il are akin TO our in
dividual feelings toward the bills
of lawyers and doctors for services
which they may have performed i'm
the past. We face them perfume
torily. and with not unnatura
desire to find some possible means
of escape. but like all such obliga
tions long overdue. this debt. If ne
elected. will only grow more heavy
with the lapse OF time. IF we leave
our veterans with this obligation
unsettled. and with the feeling that
+ the country has dealt uniustlv with
/ them. their rcstIossness NAV grow
not only moro insistent. hut more
/ extensive with the massage of tho
wears. Let those who selfshIv and
shortsightcdlV oDpOse the settlement
TODAY take warming IF this debt /,
not settled now. i'm time. instead o.
\ rushing the present claim for bacl
/ paw. the effort may he made to re
viyc the ovtraVaeant much abused
( and unsatisfactory system IF con
{ oral service pensions. which il Ia,
/ been the worthy purpose of our wal
risk insurance and our compensa
I ton acts 70 forestalI and avoid. 7
is not only fair and lust. but if vii
bc much more economical i'm tn,