davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15
Rest of
Us Don't
Count

r,, WAAllO III france.
III bet Talcott Powell never Silent
IN trenches with mud all over
MN and the rest that goes with
such a life. I'll bet also he has q
nice income and doesn't have to
Iced in a soup line.
Mr.. Powell stated that a VET
eran gets what he wants. Mr.
Powell is very much off there. as
l. Tor one, went to a certain phy-
siclan in the spring of 1881. He
found l was a veteran and need
ed attention at once. Finding 7
had not worked for a long time
ne took charge of me Just the
same and told me I must have an
operation at once.
He sent me to the bureau with
q letter. I still have that letter.
The examiner told me my doctor
was wrong, that he would call it
a tapeworm and they would call
when they had a bed for me.
While we were waiting, my doc
tor got me in condition to under
go the operation.
Still no call, so he did the onlv
thing to do, called a well-known
surgeon and fixed it with him
some way FOR me to go to u WI
city hospital. A year later. in
1882, they called me to the vet
Grams hospital for the operation.
as 1t was the only cure.
1 have been on a diet for two
wears and am not able to work
at all at any kind of labor. and
admit 1 am not smart enough
TO 90 otherwise, I get $18. which
Just pays my rent.
1 wonder if Mr.. Powell thinks
I should get that much. I be-
lieve If they would pay each dis
abled veteran and cut out these
h~igh-salaried bureaus they could
save money.
AS far as the veterans are con-
cerned, I don't think the hospital
does any good. Fellows like
those doctors with a nice. soft
loo don't need any bonus. and I
guess the rest of us don't mat
ter. EX-SERvTCE MAN
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15
I'LL, Loses
Furniture;
in Debt

coming home from France. I
have lost five rooms of furniture
and an automobile from a nervous
breakdown from service in Uncle
Sans war.
This time last year I was in a
hospital and this year had both
boys down with pneumonia and
my wife with a severe case of
tonsilitis. I. am five weeks be-
hind in my rent, getting food
from the trustee that is not
enough for the four of us. I owe
a $50 doctor bill, 50 drug store
bill, and $21 grocery bill.
The interest on the half we
borrowed will eat up the principal
by 1915.
A VETERAN AND FAMILY N
NEED.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15
Bonus Is
Seen as
Trade Aid

Ivy ~ " 4 \ IL 3 ~
time when duty called, I think it
Is time that your paper prints
some articles more in favor of the
soldiers who are down and out.
It is true that part of the ar
ticles printed and published by
your paper are facts, but only
about 5 per cent of the ex-soldiers
are receiving what your paper
claims in the form of pensions
and claims. The public, reading
the articles, thinks that all SOL
diers are getting large pensions
and are bleeding the government
Of everything they can and that
the soldiers will bankrupt the
treasury.
I have travelled nine states in
the last ninety days and know
that business conditions are much
worse now than they were a year
ago and I know that conditions
all over the country are beginning
to look very bad for our govern
ment, as the average city around
10000 population is at q stand
still and has nothing to do in the
line of work, and the merchants
will not purchase goods, as the
people do not have the money to
buy food for their families.
Now I, as we'll as thousands of
others, think that it is time our
government does something for
the soldiers, pay them what they
have coming, as the government
gave all railroad employees back
pay in millions of dollars; the
same as Andrew Mellon paid the
allies thirteen years in advance
of the war debt.
To create more buying power,
the government needs more money
in circulation; as it is now, the
people do not have the money to
purchase their needs and that is
part of the reason for the depres-
sion. The Wright-Patman bonus
bill is the best our government
could pass at the present time to
relieve the situation, for money
will go into every small commu-
nifty in ,the country and immedi-
ately start the country back to
prosperity again.
Every soldier is looking to con-
gress to help by paying the cash
bonus and many are depending
on this money to support them
selves and families.
H. r. COOKE,
STA Century building.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15
Lost All,
Unable
to Work

post. I am just a common ex-
service man who hasn't done any
work for eight years, half of the
time unable to walk at all. I
tried twice for compensation and
got nothing.
At the time of entering service,
I mad money and a farm. Now 1
have neither. My disability oc-
CURED in service. I know of g
number of men getting as much
as $50 a month, who are farming
and holding other jobs and posi-
tons, and at the same time ap-
pear able bodied and sound.
I have two jobs offered me now.
l am unable to take either. How
would it look to divide it up a
little? Some of us are not asking
much. l would be glad to get $40
a month, or, better still, if they
can give me back what I lost in
service, I will be able to go to
work and would donate them half
my income.
Probably if I write you again,
1t will be from the county poor
farm,
A TREASURY ROBBER.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15
Revise
Pension
Ldws

over a billion dollars yearly by the
veterans bureau.
Abolition of the compensation
law and a rigid revision of thu
pension law greatly would re-
duce the load on the taxpayer and
would stabilize the treasury.
Too many World war veterans
are drawing large and exorbitant
compensation for ailments that do
not keep them from earning q liv-
ing, and many r. employed in
state and government institutions
at good and steady salaries.
A vast number are in govern
ment work, thereby receiving dou-
bic wage for their 1abors.
II, in the service of this coun-
try, a man was manned or inca
pacitated in a way that he is un-
able to work, he should be taken
care of, but these veterans are
the ones who receive almost moth
ing. while able-bodied veterans
with good jobs draw the big COM
pensations.
The compensation law should
be abolished and the pension law
should be revised to take care of
the ones really disabled from
their service, and cut off all these
ble-bodied parasites.
MILO, AN EX-S SERVICE MAN.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15
They
Knew
No Grief

PCOBlCf 4 d1lk
writing in answer to the editorial
which the Willard Straight Post
of the American Legion of the
city of New York gave to your
paper.
The rank and file and also the
officials of the Willard Straight
post are all moneyed men and the
average ex-service man can not
belong to this exclusive set. They
have set themselves apart as bet
ter than the average man and
seem to think that the rest of the
100000 ~ex-service men do not
have the ability to think for
themselves.
Who are the officials of this
post. that they should take the
liberty to dictate to congress for
the rest of the ~ex-service men?
If a canvass of each member of
all service organizations was
taken, you would find that e5 per
cent of the men want their money
now, and it can't in justice be
called a bonus.
How many members of this post
ever have known the pangs of
hunger. and have seen their young
ones go to bed hungry. If this
could have been their experience.
they would have different views
and would be doing the most
fighting for justice.
AS it is, they have good jobs
and so don't care anything about
their ex-comrades. You can't hurt
the honor of the e~x-service ri
just because he asks for what is
Justly due him.
When President Wilson re-
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

Editor Times -
Relative to THEY'RE
the article by
TIA colt Powell Just q
regarding gov Bother
eminent aid to
disabled ex-
service men, also your editorial
on the same subject under date
Of April 7, 1892: 1t certainly is
a shame that we have to be both
cred by these disabled veterans.
If they had all been killed in
France we would not have this
problem on our hands; but, Of
course, If that had happened we
would have been under German
rule; but that would be better
than helping our disabled veter-
ans.
I understand that this govern
ment even has gone to the x
IRENE Of aiding these men with
such minor ailments as cancer,
tuberculosis. This is a terrible
state Of affairs, helping these
men who were not shot in action.
They say that they were even
given medical treatment over in
France for such ailments as the
flu, fever and various other all
ments other than being shot.
Now, wouldn't it be a step to
help balance the budget If these
records we're dug up and these
men made to pay for that med
ical attention?
OF course, the var was costing
more than ten million dollars q
day. and after these men were
in it four months the war was
over, saving this country billions
of dollars. although these disabled
we're not all killed off.
For a Scripps-Howard paper to
indorse the sort Of articles writ
ten, by Powell is some surprise,
especially when he says in one
line that able bodied veterans
are receiving aid, and in the next
line that it is necessary to have
a Is per cent permanent disa-
bility to receive aid. Suggest you
check up on this writer.
Yours for sending all the ex-
service men to the old country,
preferably Russia.
FLOYD D. WARNER.
Seymour, Ind.
Company E, One hundred six
tenth Engineers, A. E. F.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15


could run home every forty-eight-
hour leave.
I, myself, like hundreds of
others who went across, have
something coming worth while.
and If we ever needed it, we need
it now. Yet because we ask for
something which is ours, they
want to class us as g~rafters and
panhandlers, or call us treasury
raiders.
If Washington thinks the Amer
lean Legion is all the soldier vote.
the coming election will probably
make 1t realize 1t is a long WAYS
from 1t. OVERSEAS VETERAN.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15
Ordered
Out by
Superiors

nation on your stand against the
soldier bonus.
/ wish to cite a point in exist
ence. 1t was the morning of Sept.
rs, 1918, when the writer was
hnlsh1ng the placing Of a machine
gun on top Of the trench in prep
aration to going over" at 5 a. m.
we had not been fed for two days,
only dirty water with moldy hard
tack.
Our clothes were half torn off
and the frost lay thick I'D there
In the Argonne. I vas relieved to
catch a few winks of sleep prior to
zero hour. Mud and water and
rats in the trench made rest i'm
possible. Spying a door that led
to a bomb-proof dugout, 1 entered
to my sorrow. Several high Of
f1cers, all Of the allies. were
there. Sighting a common, cold.
wet. hungry, wornout private in
their presence, one of my superior
officers ordered me out, as there
was no room for me. They
smoked, drank, ate and enjoyed
the war down In the bombproof
cellar.
My point is this. Those in the
b%ombproof dugout today still are
saying. Get out. There is no
room" And not only that, the
ex-soldier is not entitled to what
legally was given him.
Remember, the soldier Swore to
an oath giving the U. S. A., the
rights of an unconditional
surrender by him. He must be on
the alert to serve twenty-four
hours a day, seven days a week.
and 365 days annually. The out
standing point was to protect his
country at any cost, at any time
This he did, while newspaper men
got fat printing extras on our"
boys 'oyer there"
Millions were paid as bonus
money to non-members of the
service, plus plenty to eat, wear.
and enjoy life, getting blood
money at the soldiers expense.
You must remember the soldier
Of IT and 'l8 now is a civilian.
helping you to operate and to
make possible for you. too. to earn
b living. However, he has to be
quiet to be a good citizen and let
an organization owned. operated
and controlled by a lot of
politicians, who hold a drunken
brawi once every year in some
part Of our fair land, decide
matters for him.
Those officers who ordered me
out Of a warm dugout on that cold
morning sent word back home
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15
Taxpayer
Finds Out
About War

subscriptions for your paper?
Fifteen years ago I gave up a
good job to enlist in the army
and my first experience was try
ing to drill and be a soldier on
North Pennsylvania street, around
University park, and my first uni
form came out of my own pocket.
Our quarters were in an empty
building on Pennsylvania street,
and our rations in relays at a
restaurant on Ohio street.
We surely we're in the eyes. of
the taxpayers at that time, and
Mr.. Powell couldn't understand
what the ex-service man has made
possible to the taxpayer. The
Soldiers and Sailors monument,
the Veterans hospital, the beau
tiful Plaza, American Legion
headquarters, the Veterans Bu-
reau of the state-that is only a
part. CLARENCE j. BROWN.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15
Lawyer,
Reply to
This One

14AAAA1 WIZ oAAA
signed by q lawyer, I wish to
state that this said lawyer did
not HAYS the CUTS to sign his
name to the article in which he
commends your paper for hav-
ing the CUTS to print the ar
ticles by Talcott Powell.
Neither did this lawyer state
what part he took in the World
war or by what right he Judges
if these World war veterans who
arc demanding the payment of
the bonus r so-called patriots
or not, and, above all, what right
has he to claim they were only
the drafted patriots" willing to
break the government.
I happen to be one of the
World war veterans who wants
his other half of the bonus now
and I have fifteen years service
to my credit in the service of the
United States and never in nv
fifteen years of service was I ever
drafted.
I am not asking for the other
half of my bonus for the sake
OF breaking the government, but
Tor the sake of buying food and
clothing for myself and my fam
lily, as there is no employment for
thousands of World war veterans
today who had promises of steady
employment for the rest of their
lives by their employers at the
beginning of the World war.
All I ask this lawyer to do is to
check up on the bread and sou
lines Owe the country today and
see how many thousands of
World war veterans are in these
lines and who are men that
served their country voluntarily
during the World war, and who
received disabilities during this
service which they will have the
rest of their lives, and for such
disabilities they are drawing moth
ing, or from SO to $18 a month.
AT the same time, these said dis
abilities would prevent them rom
holding down jobs, If they could
get them.
Let this lawyer think this over.
WALTER HARRIS.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15
| Commends
Bonus
View

lean citizens. 1t is fearless and
deserves to be considered as a
truly sensible suggestion at the
proper time. I hope that it will
bear good fruit.
We citizens r glad to see the
soldiers provided for, but it is
most important that the crippled,
manned, and widows be well
looked after. Those in health and
more fortunate should not make
this impossible.
SAMUEL HARRIG.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15
Need Cited
by Gossed
Veteran

gaSSed, my health practically
ruined. Could not hold down a
laooring job even if it were pos
slole to get one. Am drawing a
small compensation, but not one
fourth of what it would take to
support my wife and two small
children. I wonder If Talcott
Powell realizes what the bonus
payment would do for me and
thousands OF others who served
In the A. E. F.
While thousands of others
stayed at home, making from SIS
to $40 a day, we faced death
every day for $1.2O. Some of the
persons opposed to this bonus
payment are drawing from our
government from $25, 900 to s35. 900
a year. Of course they do not
need this money which is right
fully ours and so they think we
do not need it. A VETERAN.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15
| Bonus Not
Gift, View
of Veteran

~ OWNLM MI "WA1M VIM AZ
Gift, View and where was
of Veteran he and what
was he doing in
1917 and 1918?
What was his salary or income
then and what is 1t nowp
/ wonder why 1t was, while we
we're in uniform in the service
that nothing was too good for us,
Dut now, several years later, we
shouldn't even be considered?
just who reaped the benefits Of
the war and made millions? Ger
tainly not we who we're in the
service.
How many found the jobs they
were promised would be waiting
when they came back? The CRY
then was work or fight. Now
those who were anxious to use
That slogan car sit back in ease
with wealth made from blood and
slaughter and tell us there is n o
work and we don't deserve any
consideration.
The government should help big
business with loans Of billions and
cancel wal debts and loans. but
IL should not do anything for the
e~x-service man. Is this the de-
mocracy we saved for the world?
There is much talk about the
so-called bonus being a gift. I
want to emphasize the fact that it
was not a gift in any sense but
an adjustment in pay to make up
the difference between high civil
ian rates and service rates. and
even then they were highly un-
equal.
l wonder what. would have han.
pened If the government had told
Dig business men and manufac-
tuners they would have to wait
twenty years for their monev
There probably wouldn't have
been any war at all, or It would
nave ended in thirty days.
HALFORD WILLIAMS.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

"WhoIe
Works"

the Willard Straight post realized
out of its "stinging telegram" to
Stevens. We all know why most
of the legion members don't care
when they get their bonus. About
SO per cent Of them haven't
enough coming to make a fuss
over, due to the fact that during
the war they weren't in the serv-
ice long enough, OF got far enough
away from home. but what they
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

that the boys YER brave and
didn't complain and had every
thing possible for their comfort.
And today the Punch and Judy
show still goes on, with a few
double crossers Of the legion as
Punch and rich business men as
Judy, and the so-called engineer
or ex-food administrator is the
voice behind the screen.
Now, e. a time of dire need, a
just debt, half paid, is opposed by
such as Scripps-Howard. You
strain at a gnat and swallow a
camel by putting the raw, untrue
propaganda on your front page Of
how the ex-soldier has robbed and
Is still robbing the poor taxpayer.
Be square, put both sides on
an equal basis and prove that
your paper is not partial. How
can such men as Hoover, Mellon,
Watson or any man with a Darrell
Of money sympathize with men
who need food, clothing, and are
destitute and no hope for their
families.
AS for me, I can't support your
paper by buying it. OF course, it
won't stop your progress, but I am
not forced to read the rot you
publish about the thieving ex-
service men. JOHN McDERMET.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

Editor Times
Il am a World
war veteran who
enlisted April 3,
1917, and was
81 on the battle
shin
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15
Cut of
the Fat
Salaries

World war and feel that the boys
deserve the bonus. They called us
the heroes of the World war then,
now we are hoboes Of the soup
lines.
Your paper seemed to be for us,
but you have changed your tune.
What is the idea? Has Mr.. Hoover
bought up the Scripps-H Howard
papers?
1t seems to me your chain of
papers could do more for the tax
payers by having some of the fat
salaried jobs Of government, state
and city oficials reduced. instead
of going against the poor devils.
There may be another war and
they'd need us again.
EX-SOLDIER.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

Editor Times
Il have read
your paper ev-
cry day for the
last eighteen
years, e C pit
tfrhfln L.. a..
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

Editor Times
Yes, sir! I'm
one of those ia
o treasury
robbers, one of
Harold G
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

Editor Times
II have been a
reader of The
Times for four
teen years and
q l W a y S have
Il "A 4 Tha
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15
Surprised
at St0nd
of Times

across the pond. of course WI,
nave a good job and a nice salary
Y you were out Of work. or even
on part-time work, with a wage of
$lO a week to feed five and nav
'nills made when you were get.
Ting $25 a week, you would change
your view.
ana That is the place where vou
VIII md the majority of the vet
Grams. They served their coun-
Try Tor 81 a day and asked no
questions, but men who never en-
tered service, but served on gov
eminent work here in the states.
received from $3.50 to So an ho,lr
Quite a difference.
l know persons who drew $16
ana $l8 u day. So, why try to
axe a soldiers honest wages from
MIN? The government isn't Civ
ing them a present. 1t is wages
tney earned back in 1917-18.
Your paper is supposed to be
Tor the people. Well, you are on
the wrong side, with the stand o
nave taken against the bonus bill
There are lots of soldiers like
those in Willard Straight post
who do not need their money. so
II they feel as they say they do,
let them leave their money with
the government. They are not
compelled to cash their certih-
Gates.
1 have been a reader of your
paper for years. 1 also have talked
your paper up to friends for its
attitude toward the working class.
but II you rather would down a
soldier for what Is his own I am
about ready to take back all the
good I have said for you.
| am writing our congressman.
but not in your favor. Have YOU
talked to groceryman, doctors.
landlords and othersp If you have
YOU know what they say: Let
them pay the bonus, so I can get
my money on bills the people owe
me-"
Here's hoping your side loses in
the fight.
EX-SERVICE MANS WIFE.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

Editor Times
In regards to
your Mr.. Powell
on the ex-serv-
ice mans bonus,
is he talking
like that to gain
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

Editor Times
In challenge
to articles writ
ten by Talcott
Powell and pub
lished in your
n 7 feel
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

Editor Times
Who is this Mr..
Talcott Powell
now heroicalIy
p e nnin his
name as the
laSt-minute saw
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

Editor Times
Again, as usual,
The legion is
making another
stand for capt.
tai. I wonder
inst how much
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

Editor Times
While laying
out the expense
of war veterans,
why not do a
complete job on
the question of
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

Editor Times
Il would just
like to say a
word in regard
to the wonder
full howl of Will
lard STRAIGHT
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

Editor Times
AT last the
people are wax
ing up to the
fact that they
III being bled
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

Editor Times
Il am a World
war We teran n.
Served overseas
S e V e n t e e n
months. Have
been wounded.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

Editor Times
Will you
please print this
letter in your
colu m n the
voice of tn e
Dennleq 7 am
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

Editor Times
Your editorial
headed Bonus
Bill deserves the
C o m mendation
of all fair
minded Amer
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

Editor Times
AS the writer
of this letter is
an-service man,
I deem 1t not
out of order to
ask an expla-
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-15

Editor Times
As a soldier
in the World
war, serving my
country to the
best of my abil-
ifxy n ~ n q