The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-01-25
CONDEMNS PENSION SYSTEM

The recent address or Representative
Fred Biermann, of Iowa, delivered at an
annual conference of an American veter-
ans association, is a novelty in the way of
cratory to a veterans group.
Mr. Biermann served overseas during
the World War but he insists that the pen
sion legislation of the United States lis not
history in which we can take pride and
asserts that most of the pension benefits
of the World War and other wars have
gone to veterans who should not have had
a penny" He says that it is time for our
veterans to stop asking financial favors of
the Government
Mr.. Biermann pointed out that there
are still two pensioners of the War of 1912.
which ended 123 years ago; 221 widows of
the War with Mexico, which fought ninety
years ago; and that pensions, compensa-
ton, disqualification and other costs of Vet
Grams Administration since the World War
totalIed nearly So, O00,O00,00
Every American, said the Iowan,
wants our war wounded, dependents of
our war dead not only Justly but generous
ly cared for. But they are not the cause of
these huge outlays'' He thought that Social
Security laws might dissipate some of the
rsfwell-meaning but confused thinking about
veterans and makeeit. easier tto confine
pension legislation wifhinithe bounds set by
coInznoifisense. justice and patriotism
The Iowa representative expressed the
belief that much veterans legislation had
been inspired by officers of various organi
cations attempting to justify their official
existence rather than because of demands
from the veterans themselves and that pas
sage of such legislation had been forced
on a false premise that to oppose meant
political suicide
It is interesting to report Mr.. Bier
MAINS ideas on this subject Taking it for
granted that every American has the re-
sponsibiIity Of bearing arms, if needed. in
the service of his country, the Iowa con-
gresham says that, when he returns from
the conflict. if he is disabled, the country
owes him generous helu' and, IF he makes
the great sacrifice, the country owes his
dependents generous care
There is, of course, no conflict of views
among Americans in regard to the eondi-
tions laid down by Mr. Biermann for pre-
ferential treatment for veterans who come
within the two classes enumerated There
is, however, considerable disagreement
particularly on the part of the beneficiar-
les. with bis further conclusion that if the
veteran comes back unhurt, if he returns
better than he went (as was the case with
the great majority after the World War"
he should take his place with his fellow
citizens, who were not physically able to
go and with them on equal terms, asking
no special privileges, facing the vissitudes
OF thio earthly existence"
What compensation does the Iowa
congressman hold out to the veterans of
the nations war who come home uninjured
and sometimes improved in health? It IS
the compensation. which comes from the
satisfa ctipfi that he has performed his duty
aeitizen and the experience of unselfish-
ly offering himself for and IN behalf of his
fellowmen. In some countries and to some
Veterans this IS enough
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