Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1924-02-16
BONUS BILL
ACITATED in
CONGRESS
President Durham Of The Anti
Bonus League Shows Tremen-
dous Cost To Country
WORCESTER'S SHARE
RUNS INTO MILLIONS

There is much agitation in the all
just at present relative to the bonus
bill, whether it will be passed by the
present session OF Congress.
Much literature is being circulated
both for and against. There are or
ganized bodies both for and against.
People in favor of the bill will tell OF
the terrible safferings and hardships
of the boys in France; will tell you
of the fight they made to save democ-
racy for the world; will tell of the
wonderful enthusiasm shown by the
American people before the Great
War, and the terrible apathy since.
Cartoonists picture the march of
the legions to embark for foreign
shores, being cheered on by the thous-
ands of stay-at-homes: and after the
return of the survivors, these same
enthusiasts turning their backs upon
the veterans and refusing them just
reward.
Those opposed to the bill will tell
you of the high minded soldier who
places his services beyond the reach
OF any consideration of pecuniary
compensation; they will tell you of a
sublime love of country which led the
boys to enlist under the old Flag; and
they scorn any association of their
careers with remuneration measur-
ed by dollars and cents; they will tell
you the real soldier would prefer to
receive their pay from the hearts of
a grateful country, rather than from
their pocket books.
And so the great American public
may be arraingned into two camps
one looking at the question from the
standpoint of business; the other,
from the viewpoint Of sentiment; one
side, exposing themselves to the
charge of being mercenary; the other
exalting themselves upon the high
mountain of patriotism. However,
the war has been over long enough
for third element to look upon the
question from the standpoint of cost
no matter if so doing will relegate
them to the ranks of an ungrateful
people.
Along with the rest of the world. the
Eastern Shore is interested in the a.
mount which will be assessed to it
should the Bonus Bill be passed.
Knowlton Durham, national presi-
dent of the Anti-Bonus League, has
written to Representative T. Alan
Goldsborough and tells him that Az
billions is estimated as the cost of
paying the soldier a bonus; that 1
billion more will be necessary to pay
the expense of handling that vast a.
mount Of money.
This would necessitate per capita
tax of $51, or $51, 900 for every 1000
population.
Figuring on that basis, Mr.. Dur
ham said the Eastern Shore would
pay SIS, 1886, 900 and Worcester's share
of this would be $1,222,000. This a.
mount would build 635 miles of i'm
proved dirt roads, or 245 miles of
permanent highways.
This is enough to give one pause.
In the light of what the State is
struggling against in the matter of
public schools, faced as they are by
the proposed cut in the Governors
budget; and in the light of what Wor-
cester is doing to improve local con-
ditions in high school building &C.
commodation, it would be we'll for all
to give this question serious consid-
Grafton.
Many are of tht opinion that there
is no chance of the bills becoming a
law; and, even if passed by Congress,
it would receive the Presidents veto,
without any chance of this being ov-
er-ridden by a constitutional MAORI
ty. But congressional action cannot
be always foretold, and the outcome
is awaited with much interest, not to
say anxiety.
NvVQYvv vvvu - SSs - wN ~s~xs,