The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-22
PEOPLES FORUM
Ler.,ou,s Head on the Bonus

mingled Wltn pledSulO NittNN q, your editorial in Wednesday eul- ton: "The Fight Against t,e Bonus," and, also, the remarkaoly clear statement of the point ol view of a buck private under the "People's Forum" signed by H. G. Hughes. I am glad to kno" that The Age-Herald, long re- spected as the paper nearest the heart of the people of BirmlnS- ham, sees the truth in the tlBht against the bonus and has the hardihood to come out and state their position in the face Of such headlines as: Chamber of com merce For Mellon Plan-Agalnst Soldiers Bonus"
 Again, who is better qualified to speak on the bonus than MT Hughes, a man who fought in the front lines? He says: T believe I speak for millions of my bud dies" He knows that he speaks for them, the only. difference be- ing that he is willing to speak out, and most of them fear that unjust accusation: You are sell ing your patriotism"
 The opponents of the bonus measure are using every unfair method of propaganda and public ity known to the "propagandist. They are first trying to split the soldier away from the nation as a group" with the intention of further intensifying the group war now going on. In this they will fail, because the men who fought in the war are of all classes, live in every community, and are always found trying to lead their communities, their states and their nation to bet ter and higher things. There Is an attempt to cast a slur upon the motives of all ex-serv- ice men; trying to brand them as gang of thieves that would hold up their country, the country for which they fought, and which they saved.
 It would be we'll for all news papers to watch this new publicity movement known as: "The EX- service Mems Bonus League" with it's slush fund raised among the IiCi Ol LlAC iltidg ctlNl WlLiI 1iiCl 0AJ the idea of the dollars that they can yet mulct from their financial packers.
 It would be a good idea for all newspapers to require men writ ing on the bonus to include a short statement of their war serv- ice at the bottom of their epistles, such as: Served with the 167th Infantry 42d Division" or Dollar a year man in Washington" or Bought S500,000 worth of non- taxable liberty bonds, because l thought it an excellent invest ment," or Claimed industrial ex- emption at age of 22 years, be- cause I wished to save my monu- mental ability for posterity," or whatever is best in the record of the writers. In this day and time of closely following publicity, and seeing that nothing is put over on the unsuspecting by the propagandists, the newspapers can do well to watch their con- tributors in this movement.
 To talk of the facts behind the Adjusted Compensation bill, as passed at the last session of con- gress is to reiterate the often written and spoken word. Please allow me space for just a few words, however. Every man, woman and child who was living in the United States during the war and who will live here in future generations owes the men who fought and the men who served in the army their grati- tude; and, thank God, many of them are really grateful. Not only is this true, but every person in the borders of the United States during the war owe these same soldiers actual cash. Every busi- ness of any size in the country either paid bonuses to their em- ployes or raised their wages to correspond with a bonus during the war Every bonus so paid amounted to more than the maxi mum that could be paid to A soldier under the Adjusted Com pensation act.
 This statement does not take into consideration that great diff ference in the pay of the average army man, which was about $40 per month and the huge wages and the huge profits made in the United States during the war. This feature was never better H. lustrated than by a story of one or Major Matt. Murphy's men. NPractically everybody in Bir- mingham knows Matt Murphy.) This man was transferred from his command in Macon, Ga. to the shipyards. Tn the shipyards he was put at the same labor as inc clVliian workers. For this worI, ne was paid $S3 per month, the men at his side, doing the same work, received SIP per day. He was subject to military discipline. the other men were free when thelr days work was done.
 Another incident which occurred m the offices of one of Birming- hams large corporations shows the spirit after the war. A very young man, not yet 22 in 1e2o was holding a rather resnonsih1a position. He was more or Iess efficient, but there were balf
 
 uozen men fully as efficient in ms line If not more so all around hlm' who had served their counN rom five to nine years his senior try during the war, and who were The head of his department was asked why he kept this younp man In the higher position wbiIe the service men, some >of tbano ms superior in ability, were no+ given chance. He replied. .nrhot @ young man has been with tbis concern since June, 1917 while tuners nave been changing around (going to war). One must ba loxai uls1 job" "S on the
 As an individual welcome Tbe Age Herald on the right side or the light, and commend them for thelr strong editorial.
 ARTHUR GREENWOOD
 Birmingham, Ala.
 Letter of Appreciation
 To the. Editor of The Age-Harald.
 The officers of the Scottish Pite bodies here faa1 NN