Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-06-17
Up to Years
Pay Urged as
Soldier Bonus
II Would Spur Business,
Give Vet a 'Breather'
BY DAMON RUNYON

writer in the United States to
argue for higher pay for the
soldiers, I am naturally gratified
TO note the passage of a bill by
the Senate giving the enlisted
men fairly substantial increases.
starting with $50 a month for
privates and running up TO $l3S
a month for master sergeants.
I think il might just as well
have been $50 or 500 a month
for privates, but since this bill
represents the best deal the SOL
diers of this nation have had in
any war, let us not cavil. espe-
cially as other legislation will
make additional provision for the
families of the men in the serv-
ice.
However, I would like to see
Congress provide that the pay
shall continue for at least six
months after a man is discharged
unless in the meantime he Sc
cures a job.
ON THAT basis a chap coming
" out of the army Tor navy
could rest and look around at his
leisure without having 10 worry
about connecting with the old
ham and eggs Immediately.
This is generally the chief con-
Germ of the discharged soldier,
and ii is probably responsible for
the unrest that prevails among
men just out of the service of
their country and thrown upon
their own resources with only
few dollars in their pockets.
They usually find that all the
loose jobs have been picked up
by fellows who somehow man.
aged to remain home.
In the last war soldiers were
were given two months outgoing
pay on being discharged. Pri-
Yates received $40 a month
while in this country and half
as much again. or $45. while
serving overseas, but the out
going pay was based on the first
figure, SO a man got $50 for his
pocket and transportation and
food allowance to the point of
his enlistment. You probably
know how far $50 will 20 when
a man has no job.
A FTER struggle lasting
"A nearly 20 years the soldiers
of the first World War received
adjusted compensation, or what
~ commonly known as the
bonus, which was additional pay
based on time of service, the
highest amount that an enlisted
man could receive being 81, $50.
BY the time the government
paid this money, however, many
to whom il would have been a
godsend had passed from the
scene and others were embit-
tered by the apparent ingrati-
tude of the nation.
Some states were fairly lib
eral to their old soldiers. giving
cash bonuses and other rewards.
California passed a veterans tax
exemption law that gives the
vets certain privileges and also
has a veterans home and farm
loan act under which the for
mer wearers of the uniform can
get loans at low rate OF in
terest.
But generally speaking the
soldiers OF the first World War
got no greater consideration
after the war than those of our
other wars, which was very lit
tie.
/ am inclined TO think IL will
be slightly different story
when the current war is settled.
The boys will demand and get
more than ever before in our
history.
That they will want a bonus
goes without saying, and my
suggestion that their pay be
continued for six months after
discharge, or even possibly a
year. might be the best way OF
paying the bonus. instead of in
lump sums and long afterwards.
1t would provide that stimu-
liant that business may need
after the war as the soldiers
would certainly spend the
money for necessities. il may
be argued that my idea would
fill the land with idle men, but
/ think a man who has risked
his life for his country is en-
titled to a little idleness. and
that IL is better 10 have idle
men with a bit Of spending
money in their kicks than idle
men without n dime and loaded
with the discomfort that poverty
brings.
Copyright. 1857. by King Features
Distributed by International News Service