The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-10-22
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1882
Answering Hoover On The Bonus

The consistency of President Hoover in insisting that Franklin Roosevelt declare himself on the soldier bonus question, in his desire to divert public attention from hs failure during the past three years is Of course, intended to be smart" politics. It reminds us of the old story of the lawyer who when eross-examining witness. asked Have you stopped licking your wife--an- swer yes or no. President Hoover. former President Coolidge and Ogden Mills, the greatest secretary of the treasury since Mel lon, know full well where Governor Roose- welt stands on the bonus. and we would be inclined to say that so too do the people Of this country. if we would overlook the fact that unfortunately many of the voters do not read the text as well as the headlines in newspapers.
 One would hope that every voter would examine. in detail. the platform principles of both parties before casting his or her vote, but of course this is too much to ex- pect, so let us quote from the democratic national platform. adopted in Chicago this year. our party's position with respect to the veterans. We advocate the full meas ure of justice and generosity for all wal veterans who have suffered disability or dis ease caused by or resulting from actual serv- ice in time of war and for their dependents.
 It may be remembered that Governor Roosevelt. when he accepted the nomination in Chicago, announced that he was for the democratic platform 100 per cent. Obvi- could ho xlaioop than fhat the governor. when elected president. wll! lend sympathetic ear to the needs of the veterans and thir dependents. but as to his attitude toward paying the veterans bonus in full at this time, Governor Roosevelts position was plainly stated in Albany under date of April g, 1o32. Governor Roose- welt was then asked Do you think the veterans bonus should be paid in full now?" He replied T do not see how. as a matter of practical sense government running behind S2,000,000 annually can consider the anticipation of bonus payments until it has balanced budget, not only on paper but with a surplus of cash in the treas- ury. In other words. the household books that are now in the red should be put in the black"
 This matter of the bonus is not agitating any one in particular, outside of the dis tressed republican organization and some of ''The Wall Street Interests" who. unfor- tunately. when thinking of matters of gov ernment. rarely see the humane element in good government. So. it may be fairly stated that this continued demand on Governor Roosevelt to speak on the bonus question is a political trick being played by the republican party solely in the hope that any further announcement from the Cover nor reaffrming his position. may serve to alienate many veterans and their families who are now opposed to Hoover because of the Washington massacre last summer. We venture to suggest that no sensible vet eran expects the government to anticipate the payment of the bonus while the treasury is depleted and the budget remains unbal- anced And we think further that Governor Roosevelt has made his stand clear on the matter all along and especially in his radio address from Baltimore no later than last Thursday. He stands pat on that.