The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-01-10

, been consistent Is evident in the
 fact that in 1929, when the nation
 was prosperous and there was a surplus in the United States treas-
 ury, our national encampment, in session at St Paul, again asked Con-
 gress to give the veteran cash in
 exchange for his adjusted service certificate. This demand, although ignored by the nations leaders, was reiterated at Baltimore in 1880 and at our national encampment in 1931. In the fall of 1880, how ever, in the midst of economic suffering, the V. r. w. succeeded in convincing Congress that this l demand for cash payment was justified. As a result, early in 1881, the loan value of these certificates was increased to fifty percent. However, our organization re- | fused to be thrust aside with piece- meal legislation. We have adhered | to the principle of equal recogni- tion for the veteran with other | creditors of the government, be- | lieving that the veteran is fully entitled to fair play and square deal in recognition of the personal sacrifice he was willing to make in time of war.
 The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States will continue it's fight for veteran justice despite the opposition of those who do not hesitate to ignore the obliga- tions of comradeship among veter- ans. We refuse to be discouraged by the attacks of those who class fly veterans as treasury raiders" but on the other hand are always ready to approve appropriations that can only benefit the privileged classes.
 We favor the immediate cash payment of adjusted service certif- icates at this time because we be- lieve that the distribution of the money involved-two and one- half billions of dollars--is the only log ical solution to 8 condition which needs prompt and immediate re- lief, not only fo rthe veteran but for the nation as a whole. It is a fact that five out of every seven World War veterans have been forced to seek loans on their ad- justed service certificates. The United States government is now charging the veteran four and one- half per cent compound interest on his adjusted service certificate loan. By 1945 when these certif- icates are supposed to mature, practically all of the balance due the veteran will be consumed by compound interest. While these interest charges are eating up the
 balance of these certificates, the government is actually making a profit on the veteran of ten million dollars each month.
 From another standpoint, the immediate cash payment of the balance due World War veterans is deserving of the active support of citizens in all walks of life and business men in every line of en- deavor. The ledgers of virtually every usiness house are loaded with slow accounts that have no immediate prospects of being liqui- dated. A survey of these accounts will reveal that great proportion of these creditors are veterans who are in serious need of these funds. We believe that cash payment of the so-called bonus will provide quicker and more adequate relief than any measure that has yet been enacted for this purpose. The in- creased purchasing power. will en- able hundreds of thousands of vet erans to take care of themselves and their families without the need of outside assistance. Local com munity chests will be relieved of some of the burden of extending charity and this money, placed in the hands of veterans, immediate ly will be turned into every channel of trade, for the payment of de- linquent taxes, back rent, grocery bills and other debts. For this reason, if no other. 1t behooves every business man and every vet eran to give this demand for cash payment his active support.
 urge all veterans and their friends to write or wire your con- gressmen and your senators imme- diately. demanding their support of pending legislation in behalf of cash payment of adjusted service certihcates--a measure that will administer prompt and humane re- lief to the people as Q whole who are suffering in the grip of the worst economic crisis this nation has ever known.