Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-12-28
COMPENSATION
STAND Is TOLD
Garner Hoping To Force
Consideration o.
Vet Claims
BY r I. SEXTON

49," 49, -AA4A&a[4-
tate payment Of adjusted compensa-
ion OF World War veterans with in
fereEt TO date. vas urged by Repre-
sentative Garner Of Texas in a state
rneEsr released last week, and the
announcement OF the minority lead
els attitude with respect TO this
E3dely discussed legislation Is con-
k16cred b. veterans organizations
as indicating that consideration OF
TIE various payment bills now pend
ing vii be forced during the pres
Eut SESSION.
Ire Texas congressman proposed
m optional clause which would
permit n veteran 10 realize on his
adjusted compensation certificate at
mny time. receiving the original set
fAeEneFst value with interest TO date
RI payment. Garner pointed out
that his would assure relief for any
veteran tn actual need OF ready
cash and would permit those In more
fortunate circumstances to hold
their certificates 10 maturity.
Payment OF the compensation al
lowed World War veterans by on
grezs IN 1875, with interest to date,
~ouid prove an important facTr n
restoring the economic balance and
mitigating the effects Of the wide
spread depression this country Is
experiencing" Garner said. In my
0plricn the general demand for pay
nent q this debt makes IL tmpera-
LIE that congress proceed 10 con-
kcer this proposed legislation with
ut delay
Would Grant Option
Congress should pass a bill grant,
ing the World War yeterasl the OPP
ton Of tuning IN his certificate at
any time and receiving the original
settlement value plus Z per cent
interest 10 date Of payment. The
bll should also provide that those
veterans who have been forced 70
secure i3ans upon their certificates,
paying interest at the rate Of 8 per
cent. &c reimbursed TO the amount
Ct the difference in the interest
rates. II would be unjust TO discrim-
1nate against the veteran who,
through necessity. has been forced
- secure . loan ~ 6 per cent while
his certificate carried only 4 per
cent.
The optional plan would assure
that the veteran who Is IN distress
ard needs ready cash could realize
upou his certificate az any time
without o sacrifice, whereas the vet
ersn f. more fortunate circum-
stances could hold his certificate to
maturity
1t Is impossible 70 make an ac-
curate estimate. but ! doubt II over
90 per cent Of the veterans would
Immediately eyail themselves Of the
Option 70 tuyn In their certificates
and receive the original value with
interest 20 cate. However, II would
provide the means OF relieving the
distress OF al IN actual need, and
90 long IS the government has con-
fessed this debt 70 the veterans they
fh0E6 be enabled 70 secure their
money when needed.
Compensation Allowed
Kc0ngress. III 1925. allowed the
4eFRns compensation in the
&ERolnt Of sl00 per day for service
within the United States and s1.25
pr day for foreign service. The
veterans organizations expressed
themselves As satisfied with this
settlement. i do not belive those
organizations would endorse pay
u1ent Of unearned interest. but there
coz1d be no basis for criticism for
payment OF a confessed debt with
interest 20 day. and every veteran
wh0 desires such payment Is entitled
90 II.
4 believe that not over a billion
dollars, IN addition to funds now in
the hands Of the Veterans Bureau.
would De required 10 provide for
those Who would Immediately avail
themselves Of this program. The
treasury Is borrowing none at l "a
70 ! Ia per cent. I doubt II the
treasury ever again viii be able TO
secure money at such a low rate
Tor the discharge OF this obligation
% the World War veteran.
Another factor that should be
considered tn this connection is the
effect the widespread Distribution
O. these funds would have upon the
economic situation. A more PROFIT
1ous tine for payment OF this debt
70 veterans could not be conceived. }
Every state. CITY and hamlet would
feel the stimulating effects. and
Favorable action By congress would
prore m important factor in hasten
tng restoration of normal conditions
i agree with Secretary Mellon
That legislation OF this character
would bring a measure OF relief to
the country, but ! do not believe
such relief would be merely tenn
porary- Reinforced BY proper leg
tklation IL could be made permanent.
f1e ucleus upon which normally
~ Gus conditions could be re-
ktore6"