The Indianapolis times., 1932-09-13
SHOWDOWN ON
BONUS ASKED
BY AL SMITH
Calls on Candidates for
President to Make Clear.
Their Stands.
PLAIN TALK DEMANDED
Congressman Blamed for
Washington March, in
Magazine Article.

BIZ United Press
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 12-Al-
fred E. Smith today called upon the
candidates for President to tell the
people what they intend to do about
the soldier bonus problem.
The demand by the Democratic
partyS 1928 candidate for the presi-
dency was set forth in a copyright
ed argument written by Smith for
the Saturday Evening Post, pub
liShed today.
1t voiced the fortnight speaking
New Workers. own disappproYal of
suggested legislation and some laws
on the books; it declared that pres
ent laws would force the government
within twenty years to spend as
much for pensions as the entire gov
ernment costs this year; it blamed
the house of representatives for
encouraging much fthe legislation
and agitation.
Nobody" the former Governor
said, will take the negative side of
the question that the man who Of
fers himself to the country in
time of trouble should be rewarded"
"Bedeviled by Politics"
The unfortunate thing about ar
irving at lust and equitable Sys-
tenn of compensation and reward, . is
that the question lis bedeviled with
politics." he said.
Smith reviewed the platforms of
the two major political parties. The
Republican platform suggested a
study with view to eliminating the
inequalities and injusticeS and eff
fecting all possible economies"
The Democratic platform, while
much briefer, called for a full
measure of justice to all war veter-
ans who have suffered disability or
disease resulting from war service"
80 much for the platforms"
Smith wrote. THE American people
have a right to know where the
candidates stand. Let us have pretty
plain talk. The American people
are entitled to hear it.
They should be afforded not only
opportunity for study of what has
happened in the past and its rela-
tionship to the whole question of
public money, but they are entitled
to know what their candidates for
high office intend to recommend
with respect to the future"
Neither Candidate Mentioned
Smith did not mention President
Hoover or Franklin D. Roosevelt, the
Presidents Democratic rival, in this
connection.
Hoover has let it be known that
he would veto any further bonus
legislation. 1t was believed in some
quarters that Roosevelt would an
nounce his bonus views during his
western speaking tour, just begin
ming
The article By Smith, entitled
Veterans and Taxpayers" was
timed to appear as the American
Legion convention got under way at
Portland, Ore.
1t dealt largely with the legion's
advocacy of veterans legislature,
and with the encouragement given
the legion and others by congress-
men.
1T can not be disputed" Smith
wrote, that the recent gathering in
Washington of veterans demanding
the immediate payment of the
bonus certainly was encouraged by
the attitude of members of con-
gress who can deny that poll
tics entered there into an economic
question:"
Praises Relief Program
Smith praised the program for
war veteran aid proposed and
adopted during Woodrow Wilson's
administration as a wide and far
sighted plan" intended to take care
of veterans killed or injured in line
of duty, or their dependents, and to
offer all veterans term insurance
upon an actuarial basis
"At the time this program was put
forth, it was accepted by the entire
country and the great army of
American veterans subscribed to it
100 per cent. Within six years
of the close of the World war, how
ever, the bonus bill had been passed
and disqualification had been thrown
open to veterans not disabled in the
line of duty"
Smith reviewed the work of vet
eranS' organizations, and the lobbies
they financed, with the result. he
said, that the United States is pay
ing large sums every year to more
than 100000 veterans whose disabiI-
ltles resulted from causes other than
military or naval service"
He warned that further payments
OF the same type would be author
lied unless the American people
pay some attention to these stat