Evening star., 1932-10-30
BY WALTER TRUMBULL.

'sC SSIicS QtCeS the facts fheg
." iHe Legislative records.
BY WALTER TRUMBULL.
Inc history of pension payments tc
men IN the armed services of the United
states dates back to the action of the
Continental Congress of 1776, which
provided half pay for life for a soldier
Or sailor who lost a limb or otherwise
was so disabled he could not earn a
livelihood.
In 177s Congress promised that COM
missioned officers, after the war, should
receive half pay annually for seven
years. Non-commissioned officers were
promised $50 each, and year later .
Hratu1ty Of 500 was promised those
who had previously enlisted. This was
because bonuses had been offered to
stimulate later enlistment. The pro-
vision for officers was raised to half
pay for life.
Promises Not Fulfilled.
These benefits became largely empty
promises because Of lack of funds. In
1888, on demand of the soldiers, Con-
gress repealed the half-pay-for-life pro-
vision and granted officers five years
full pay in money or securities on In
terest at 6 per cent. Veterans received
pensions by acts Of Congress. Payments
to surviving dependents Of veterans OF
the Revolution lasted 129 years. The
last veteran died in 1859. the last
widow in 1910.
Bounties were offered for enlistment
In the War Of 1912, but the only special
provisions after that war were for free
occupation Of Government land. The
usual pensions, however, were granted.
There are still seven widows Of the War
Of 1872 on the pension list. The list
shows 476 widows Of the Mexican War
of 1846. =,
In the Civil War bounties were paid
for enlistment. At the close Of the war
an additional bounty Of 500 was
granted for those serving three years.
$50 for two years. These payments cor
respond to the $50 discharge fee paid
each soldier OF the World War. Ten
years after the Civil War Congress
passed an act 10 equalize the bount1es
Of the soldiers, but President Grant
vetoed it. In the Civil War 364,332
Union soldiers were killed in action and
the wounded totaled 277,401. In 1898
745,222 veterans were on the pension
list.
$97,100,0o0 Civil War Pensions.
A year after the pension act Of July
IA, 1862, the Government was pay
ing $4,000, 900 . year to survivors OF
the Civil War. Pension payments for
this war reached their peak In 1921.
This years bill, with SO, ,406 veterans
and 1873, ,so4 widows on the list; win be
about $97,100,000. In 1907 Congress
pensioned all old soldiers who had
served 80 days.
There are $3.50 veterans and 4.4ss
widows remaining from the Indian Wars
Of 1876. Pension payments for this
war have not yet reached their peak.
This year the payments will be about
$4,623,000.
In the War with Spain Of 1898 the
total casualties were 1922. In 1880
there were 217,7so pensioners on the
will reach its peak in 1912.
The estimated peak for World War
veteran payments Is 1949. If legislation
follows precedent, statisticians figure
the 1949 payment will approximate two
and a half billion dollars.
Legion Proposes Bonus.
The idea Of bonus for those in the
military and naval services in the
World War was first presented at st.
Louis in 1919, when the American
Legion was being organized. A resolu-
ton proposed that the Sixty-sixth Con-
1ress vote those who had served six
months $3.50 extra pay, and those who
had less than six months SIS . month
for each month served. But it was the
final sentiment that the soldiers did
not desire a bonus and it was voted
unanimously to lay the resolution on
the table.
The first national convention Of the
Legion, in November the same year,
brought forth the argument that the
soldier had not had the same financial
opportunity as the civilian, and that
compensation should be arranged to-
ward making up the difference. There
was opposition, and finally a compro-
mise resolution vas adopted that the
men would leave to Congress the dis
charge of this obligation.
Adjusted Compensation Measure.
Ninety days later the Legion Execu-
tive Committee resolved that all service
men and women were entitled to ad-
tusted compensation and appointed
committee to draw the bill. It was
suggested that the compensation take
the form Of a $50 bond for each month
of service, or that veterans receive land,
financial aid in building homes, or vo-
cational training. This was known cs
the fourfold adjusted compensation
meauSre.
Continued pressure finally resulted
IN the adjusted compensation act.
passed by the House and Senate, We
toed by President Coolidge, re-passed
by the House and Senate, and be-
came law May 10 1924
copyright, 1892, by North American News.
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