The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-08-18
Veterans Versus Veterans

One of the worst results of the Presidents use
of the army against the bonus marchers in Wash
ington is the force it has given the cash bonus
movement in the American Legion
Last year the legion, in national convention, re-
fused to support this demand. But the legion meet
ing in Portland Ore next month is expected TO swing
into line behind the bonus marchers' program.
Some advance idea of the temper of the Portland
convention be gathered from the attitude of the
various state conventions now in session. OF the
twenty-five state meetings already held, fifteen have
adopted resolutions for the cash bonus
1t is noteworthy that in such states as Massa-
chusetts and Ohio the cash bonus demand was linked
with bitter protest against Hoovers folly in calling
out federal troops to ride down unarmed veterans
Even those in least sympathy with the bonus agi-
tation easily understand that the emotion reac-
ton of rankand-le veterans throughout the country
to the battle of Anacostia" has given a new and
dangerous character to this drive.
The policy of this newspaper is we'll known It is
not popular policy, either with the administration
or the veterans, 1t is the same policy which the
Ohio legion state convention Kissed when expressed
by Senator Buckley.
We have fought and will continue to fight for
protection of the veterans in their right to civil
liberty We have opposed and will continue to oppose
the administrations terrorist tactics.
We urge adequate care for war disabled veterans
We have demanded and will continue to demand UNI
employment relief for veterans and nonveterans.
But there stop
We will not support any blanket measure such as
the cash bonus which will set apart all veterans
rich and poor sick and well-as a privileged class,
to be supported by the taxpayers, while nonveteran
classes suffer
World war veterans and their dependents get
ting three-quarters of billion dollars annually from
the government. Much of it is deserved, some of
it is not Special benefits given to veterans for
disabilities which have connection with service
to their country should be discontinued
Unless those just economies are made in present
veteran appropriations along with other federal
economies in military preparedness and special sub
sides to favored industries there will be adequate
unemployment relief.
We appeal to those veterans who have health and
jobs If they try to get money out of the gov
eminent for themselves they will jeopardize the
funds for the care of disabled veterans helpless vic
TINS needing and deserving special care.
They will endanger the federal unemployment re-
lief fund which must stand between obess veterans
and starvation
There is neither sense nor fair play in any en-
poyed veterans asking special depression reef-Such
as the cash bonus-from the government when every
penny OF Such reet is needed 10 1eed the Unemployed
both veterans and nonveterans
Payment of s2,4OO0OOOOO of cash bonuS-most of
it to able-bodied and employed veterans-is impos-
sble Taxpayers will stand for it. Public opinion
will not permit it.
Politicians and veterans leaders stirring up this
agitation not deliver. They arousing class
against the rest of the country. When the move
ment fails, it must fail there will be terrific
veterans reaction, which the leaders and politicians
can not control. Then tragedy may result
Four weeks remain before the legions national
convention There still is time for the legion leaders
to show the veterans the injustice the hopelessness
and the danger in this movement.