Evening star., 1928-04-26
Pleads for Passage
Of Retirement Bill

10 the Editor OF Ihe STAR.
Coming, ms / do, from the Southland.
where In years past chivalry reigned
supreme: where our forefathers fougnt
so valiantly for what they thougnt 10
be right. and, after the war clasped
hands with the victors, acknowledging
defeat for the sake OF right and JUS
tice and the future upbuilding OF the
greatest nation In the world. It Is sur
prising to me that you would find men
in these United States who would go
so far as to oppose the Tyson Fitzgerald
bills. We can only thank God tnat
they are In the vast minority, and pc
lievc that after they have gwen the
bills careful consideration from an un-
biased point of view they VIII cnange
their opinions and help the passage OF
the lust and righteous measures
The purpose of these bills Is 10 put
upon the retired list disabled Army OIL
ficers of the World War. men who VIII
linglv gave up their wives, children
and homes to answer the call to arms
for the defense and honor OF our
country. 81,
Some of these men are totally dis
abled and are not capable OF earning
, the income that they had before the
war. and it is unbelievable that TINS
country, as rich as 1t Is. Will stana py
and let them eke out living, giving
them a small pittance, where, before
/ the war. when they were able 10 WORK
lived In ease and comfort and some IN
luxury.
In giving a practical example, am
going to cite my own case.
/ volunteered for service june l9l /;
was in the prime OF life ana nao
hardly had sick day up to that time.
was practicing medicine and was
earning from $4,000 to $4,000 yearly.
I was discharged from the service. By
| special request. In December, 1913 a
sick man. 1 dragged along trying 10
work and regain my health up until
three years ago. was compelled 10
| Give IN and since that time ! have
| spent every cent l could lay my hands
| on or borrow, trying to regain my
| health but / am an invalid and am
| now compelled to exc out an existence
with the amount I get from the Gov
ernment All Of this time, or for the
! mast seven years, the Navy and Marine
Corps have been enjoying the fruits OF
similar legislation.
/ Were they hraver men? Did they do
more toward winning the war than the
Army? Is it right and just to single
| them out? The men OF the Army
| should not stand for It
/ believe that the President in his
| fight for right and justice will not
stand for 1t! Why not put II up to
| him? We are graciously willing to
stand by his decision.
| Isn't it looking down. upon the, off,
GERS of the Army for Congress to say
| that the officers Of the Navy and Ma
| rine Corps are entitled to receive re-
! tirement privilege but the Army Is not?
what Is Gen. Pershings opinion OF the
| officers who fought under him?
| Believe me when ! say that the chief
| opponents of the bills are fireside
warmers who remained at home and
| filled their pockets with filthy lucre''
while the soldiers were exposing their
! lives and sustaining themselves upon
/ the mere pittance that was paid them
| OF course, there are exceptions to all
rules. but because there are a few who
do not understand the situation and
are guided by the others Congress
should look into the matter more thor
oughly and give the Army its just
! dues.
Five times tn. Tyson bill has been
| passed upon by the House committee
/ favorably and five times II has been
| lost in the jam of business at the ad-
| journment of Congress. Each year we
are getting Older and each year some
| OF us are passing on beyond the Great
| Divide. Now Is the time IL will do the
| most good. for those who pass away
| do not need it,
GEORGE b. LESUEUR. M. d.
Ex-Capt., NJ c., u. S. A.
New Orleans. La.