The Indianapolis times., 1932-04-22
BY ELMER THOMAS


The question has been raised as
to the amount Of money the gov
eminent actually owes World wal
veterans at this time.
Each ex-service man has a GER
tificate in the form Of a nonnego-
table bond for a certain fixed sum
due and payable in 1945. This ad-
justment was not made until seven
years after close Of the World war
While taxpayers, contractors and
material men were receiving adjust
ments of their claims against the
government Immediately after Ar
mistice day, veterans we're formed
to wait until 1945. When their
claims we're considered and allowed
interest was not computed from
Nov. II, 1918, but such interest as
was allowed was computed from
date Of passage of the act.
The veterans claim that if they
are paid the balance OF the face
value of their certificates, such pay
ment only will balance and equal
the loss they already have sus-
tanned by having no confederation
prior to the passage of the original
so-called bonus act.
Lost Their Jobs
Amount of money stated in each
veterans certificate is an arbitrary
amount, the basis having been fixed
by the sixty-ninth congress. Those
who contend that the veterans
should not have the interest not
already earned certainly would not
object to allowing interest on the
basic amount from date of dis
charge to date of issuance of the
certificate.
We can not fail to remember that
when the boys came back either
from France or from the local
camps many of them found their
former jobs filled by some one else.
Dislocation of positions, jobs, and
even residences of many of the
soldiers never have been adjusted.
If Uncle Sam wants to drive a
hard bargain and to be penny
exact" with the veterans, he can
refuse to afford them any added
relief and can force them to wait
until 1945 to cash their certificates
Or what is left of them.
If this policy is pursued in cases
where veterans have borrowed on
their certificates, the interest rate
being charged against them will
consume practically the entire re-
mainder of their certificates. SO in
the end, Uncle Sam will have the
satisfaction of knowing that he has
settled acknowledged claims at fifty
cents on the dollar with those who
perhaps saved his life.
Would Pay in Full
Some are demanding that If we
apay the veterans now, we must dis
count the face value of their certifl-
Gates by eliminating therefrom all
its items for interest not yet earned.
However, if equities are considered
and the interest should be computed
at fair commercial rate from Nov.
IL. 1918, to the date of payment, the
difference in the amount now due
on such certificates would not be
enough to compensate for making
the computation.
1t is my contention that under ex-
listing conditions, and as a relief
measure, fair policy would be to
pay the full amount of the certifl-
Gates, thus adjusting our commit
ment in full.
1t may be contended that such
policy is more than fair-that it is
liberal-and if so, then I am free to
say that I am ready to be liberal
with those who hold adjusted service
certificates.
! contend that the best national
insurance we can provide is to keep
America worth fighting for, to help
those who can not help themselves,
and to care properly for those who
have fought our country's battles,