It would be impossible to print all of the thousands of letters, telegrams, petitions, and other communications received, but the subcommittee has made a careful examination of them and believes that the matter appended herewith reflects fairly well the sentiment of the various sections of the country. Two interesting letters one from a Civil War veteran opposing the bonus and the other the reply of a World War veteran in favor of it-which were submitted to the committee by the writers after the letters had appeared in the Indianapolis News, are appended because of the interesting contrast they present. The balance of the material is divided into two groups-those favoring adjusted compensation in some form or other and those opposed to it. Of the first group, no explanation is necessary. The second group, however, does not necessarily mean that all the communications are opposed to the bonus in all respects. THE CIVIL WAR AND THE WORLD WAR-A CONTRAST. [From Indianapolis News, Mar. 5, 1920.] A CIVIL WAR VETERAN'S VIEW OF SOLDIER BONUS DEMANDS. To the editor of the News: SIR: By way of contrast between the ex-soldiers of the Civil War and the ex-soldiers of the late war, who were America's contribution in defeating the Central Powers, I will enumerate some of my personal experiences as a soldier of the Civil War, bearing in mind that thousands of my old companions in arms had a similar experience. The pay, food, clothing, arms, munitions, medical, and surgical equipment were very inferior as compared with the late war. I served with a regiment that left a trail of blood on many battle fields. It fell short by a small per cent of being listed among the 300 fighting regi ments. I wore coarse, ill-fitting clothes and shoes. My regular fare was crackers, meat, coffee, and sugar. At rare intervals I feasted on beans, rice, and desiccated vegetables. My only shelter for fully two-thirds of my time was a little shelter tent that would turn a very light rain, but was not of much benefit during a heavy rain. Many a farmer to-day is taking better care of his hogs than the Government took of us during the terrible years between '61 and '65. No sanitary precautions for us, no Red Cross, no butter or milk, no cigarettes, no candy, no movies, no high-salaried actors or singers to entertain us, no dentists to care for our teeth. Sometimes our stomachs would rebel against the monotonous diet. We would fast a day or two, then out raged nature would assert itself and we would relish hardtack and sowbelly. I never had any of my equipment hauled, never missed but one roll call, consequently I participated in every engagement or march in which my regiment took part after I joined it. I served a little less than two years; was too young when the war began. I was fortunate, or unfortunate, according to the viewpoint, to escape wounds and disease. Consequently I was mustered out without a hospital record. I received my first pension, $8 a month, June, 1896, more than 31 years after the end of the war. After the small remnant of my old company was mustered out, we contributed $100 to buy an artificial leg for one of our comrades (a poor, destitute boy), who had left one of his on the firing line. Those who lost limbs had to buy one or go without, unless sweet charity came to their relief. We didn't expect pensions except for wounds received in action. I didn't come home with suitcases bulging with the best quality of Government clothing, shoes, and blankets, my breast bedecked with crosses and medals galore only my old Fifteenth Corps badge. The next day after I got home I went to work binding oats, I didn't ask the Government to give me a job. I did not ask for a $50 bonus a month for every month I had served. I didn't ask the Government to pay my way to finish my unfinished education. From 61 to '65 the cost of living was about as high as it is to-day. I was satisfied with what I had saved out of my $13 to $16 a month. I buckled down to work and didn't play the baby act. The unseemly scramble of some of the officers and men of the Navy for medals and decorations is unworthy of a redblooded American. Unless the American Legion ceases its selfish demands on the Government for more money it will soon be classed with the labor unionsout of touch, our sympathy with 90 per cent of the people of the United States. L. B. L. CLAY CITY, IND. [From Indianapolis News, Mar. 11, 1920.] WORLD WAR SOLDIER'S REPLY TO CIVIL WAR VETERAN'S VIEWS. To the editor of the News. SIR: I have read with interest the letter of L. B. L., a Civil War veteran, in the News of Friday evening, March 5. May I be permitted a few words in reply? You, L. B. L., have my salute and my respect. You are my brother; the brotherhood of those who have slept on the bare ground in winter. I know what you went through, or some of it. I learned of it from my grandfather, When he came back, after four years, all that he had in property left was the silver spoons that my grandmother had sewed into her woolen petticoat. Their little holdings had been in the path of an Army. I myself disposed of my business at such a loss in 1917 that of six years' work I had nothing left save my good name. I did this in order to volunteer. Thank God I did volunteer. It may be as you say, that I am out of touch, out of sympathy, with 90 per cent of the people of the United States. I wasn't then. I have read, sir, your personal experiences. I can feel for you. You wore coarse, ill-fitting clothes and shoes. Ours were nothing wonderful either, but when you are covered with a thick coat of Flanders mud it doesn't matter much about the fit. Your fare was crackers, meat, coffee, and sugar. The fare of our men. brigaded with British troops, was salt fish, goat meat or salt pork, plum and apple jam, always with a taste of gasoline in it, tea, cheese, and war breadnot the kind you bought from bakers at home. Sugar; we didn't know what it meant. No sanitary precautions in '61. We had running water (in every dugout). No Red Cross in '61. Praise God that we had, and some of them were His own representatives on earth. "No cigarettes; no candy; no movies." Sometimes we could buy those things from the Y. M. C. A. Be thankful, brother of '61, that you had no “Y." If you had you would not have saved anything from that pay, even though it was $16 and ours $33. "No butter; no milk." Did you think that we had any, my brother? And as for cigarettes and candy, where did you get the idea we had them? The boys in the French base ports did, I know, but the ones in England, at the front, brigaded with the British, how about them? For seven months I personally never tasted sugar. I never had an issue of candy or tobacco. I never got paid. Moreover, most of this time there was not even salt issued to the mess or used in the cooking. In your war, brother, the good people of the country did not subscribe countless sums for furnishing the little comforts of which you speak to their soldiers. You didn't get those things; neither did we. What's the difference? Like you, my brother, I served a little less than two years, but unlike you I didn't go to work the next day. After my discharge from the hospital I had to wait five months before I had enough strength. My first job lasted three weeks. It was in the store of a pro-German. I went to the United States Employment Agency. The man in charge was very kind to me. He arranged especially that I have an interview with a prominent man in the city who is a large employer of men of my trade and who promised to help me. I waited all day in front of that man's private office. I sent in the card from the employment office but he wouldn't see me. One of his clerks gave me an application blank of some sort to fill out. I have never heard from it. In what city did this occur? In the capital of Indiana. I took a civil service examination for clerk in the War Risk Insurance Department and eventually was notified that I had passed, but never have been notified to report. During all this time-about six months--I had only the seven months' back pay that I didn't get overseas and the bonus of $60, or one pair of civilian pants. I have a job here in Terre Houte now. I got it by answering newspaper advertisements. It's not so much of a job, but all I am worth now as I contracted neuritis and sinusitis in the service. I can live and save a little, but, of course, marriage is out of the question on my pay, nor can I expect more. That's my experience, brother of '61. I know we had lots of things you didn't have. By the way, were you or any of your buddies ever gassed; did you ever get a touch of liquid fire; did you ever help put away the remains of a bombed nurse; did you ever duck for cover when some flying Dutchman took a notion to drop eggs on a base hospital; were any of your buddies crucified on the barn doors; how many northern women did you see with the right arm off below the elbow and carrying the child of the foe in the left; how far could those Johnny Rebs throw a potato masher; did you have a tough time with tanks and coal boxes and whizz bangs and minnenwerfers? And, say, didn't the sun shine once in a while where you were, and did the slackers take away your applejack while you were gone? It's all right, old timer. You served. I served. You would do it again. So would I, as my grandfather did, as my grandson probably will, should I have one, while the slacker with his grandfather and grandson have or will clean up all the needful for automobiles, bonds, etc., that we made safe for them. Oh, yes; we don't have to pay for hunting licenses in Indiana. I understand they did a little more for you, brother, and now there's nothing to hunt but "blind pigs" any way. Farewell, old G. A. R. If all goes well we will meet in heaven; if it does not, we will meet in London or Tokyo. Ninety per cent of the people of the United States may be "out of sympathy" with us, but we are strong for them. S. S., TERRE HAUTE, IND. Of the American Legion. COMMUNICATIONS FAVORING ADJUSTED COMPENSATION. NATIONAL WHOLESALE LUMBER DEALERS' ASSOCIATION, Hon. JOSEPH W. FORDNEY, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: I beg to advise you that at the annual meeting of the National Wholesale Lumber Dealers' Association, held at Washington, D. C., March 24 and 25, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: 66 Whereas it is now nearly a year and a half since the signing of the armistice, our Army and Navy have been demobilized, and the men returned to their civilian states; and "Whereas large numbers of our citizens served as soldiers, sailors, and marines, at a great financial loss to themselves and their families, to the effect that the horrors of Europe were not brought to the shores of this country; and 66 'Whereas Congress has not seen fit to award to these veterans the compensation and appreciation that is their due: Be it 66 Resolved, That the National Wholesale Lumber Dealers' Association, representing a part of the business interests of this country, in convention assembled, give their moral support and backing to the bill drawn by the American Legion, the association of war veterans, representing their claims for consideration and to be known as the National soldiers' land-settlement, home-aid, vocational-training, and adjusted-compensation act,' which bill permits a veteran to elect to receive one of the four mentioned projects of beneficial legislation; and be it further "Resolved, That the secretary of this association transmit this resolution to Congressman Joseph W. Fordney, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of the House of Representatives." Respectfully, E. F. PERRY, Secretary. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, CHAIRMAN WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: I am writing you in connection with reference to bonus bills pending now before you for ex-service men. From my experience in employing men at this institution it is very evident that the men who have been discharged from the service have inadequate funds with which to begin anew civil life. Many of them have applied to me for positions the past winter with insufficient clothing and many with threadbare overcoats and clothing. The conditions were deplorable, and made a lasting impression on my mind to the effect that a bonus must be given these men who so willingly gave up civilian life to don the uniform of Uncle Sam and fight for their country. Of all bills pending now before you for consideration, I am heartily in favor of a bill providing a certain sum for each month in service. In this way I believe justice may be done to men who served the longest. Hoping that legislation may be soon enacted for cash bonus for ex-service, I am, Respectfully, yours, R. A. FRY, Formerly of United States Navy. PRIVATE SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' LEGION To the Members of the House of Representatives and Senators. First, because it makes no discrimination between the demobilized soldiers, sailors, and marines who served in the World War, but pays an equal sum of $500 to each, regardless of rank or kind of service. Second, it avoids the error of many other pending bills, which apparently treat the demobilized soldiers as if they were men who had made some kind of mercenary bargain with the Government to serve the Nation for money$30 a month during the war. Third, it eliminates a bad feature of many of the other bills which provide that soldiers shall be paid their extra compensation in bonds, when as a matter of act it is against the best interests of both the soldiers and the Government to make this payment in bonds. The private soldiers who need this help do not need bonds; they need cash, and it is far better both for the soldier and for the Government to pay in cash than in bonds, for bonds must be paid three times, cash but once. Fourth, the payment of $500 to each person who served in the military and naval forces during the World War, as provided in the Sherwood bill, is not a payment in settlement of a commercial transaction, or a settlement of a contract that was made by the soldiers for a monetary consideration. The soldier's service was given in the World War as a patriotic, moral obligation, so the service which the Government should render the demobilized soldier is a service in performance of a duty which the Government morally owes the soldier citizen and which can not be measured or paid merely with dollars and cents. Fifth, the soldier of the United States went to war not for money but for His services may liberty, not merely poiltical liberty, but economic liberty. not be paid for in cash, but in kind, and a bonus of $500 is simply one step in the moral obligation which the Government owes him in return for his services. It gives him a little of that freedom of economic choice in the opportunity to earn his living, without which the citizens of our country and no other country can truthfully be said to be free men, enjoying the blessings of liberty and equal opportunity in life. Our soldier's services to our country in its need was not a bargain but a gift; an equal offer of sacrifice by all. Their reward should not be a money payment for so many days work, but a guarantee to them by our Government of that equal economic liberty which is the birthright of all. Very sincerely, yours, MARVIN GATES SPERRY, Hon. Jos. W. FORDNEY, PRIVATE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS' LEGION Chairman, and Members of Ways and Means Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. GENTLEMEN: I have been informed that one, S. Lovenbein, representing an alleged soldiers' organization called the Rank and File and World War Veterans, claimed to your committee that he had received the indorsement of the Central Labor Union of Washington. The fact is that Lovenbein appeared before the Central Labor Union, asking indorsement of himself and the above organizations and his defunct publication, and after investigation by a committee, which reported unfavorably, the indorsement was not only refused, but Lovenbein was ordered from the room by the presiding officer and told to go elsewhere for his easy money. Lovenbein was asking for moral and financial support and suggested that about $10 from each of the 91 unions affiliated with the Central Labor Union would be satisfactory. and when it was suggested that many members of the various unions were ex-soldiers and he could get many members for his organization, stated that he was in no hurry for the members, but needed the money-$10 per. I was present at the meeting, being entitled to a seat in the hall by reason of membership in Columbia Typographical Union No. 101 of this city. I have the honor of presiding over Union Legion No. 3, Private Soldiers and Sailors' Legion of the United States. I was present at the meeting in the interest' of the Private Soldiers and Sailors' Legion. Respectfully yours, RALEIGH M. BLACK. President Union Legion No. 3. FLORENCE, ALA., March 12, 1920. Hon. E. B. ALMON, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: The Florence post of the American Legion, at its regular meeting Thursday night, unanimously went on record as favoring some measure calculated to give material financial assistance to the ex-ervice men. They do not look upon it as a gift, but in view of the high salaries paid other Government employees during the emergency, and in view of the fact that the ex-service men, by way of comparison, not only suffered a serious financial loss but that in many cases they sustained an even more serious loss, in that they were put back from one to three years in their professions and businesses, they consider that material Government as-istance is their due, and that it is necessary in order that they may be put in a position to compete with those who stayed at home and profited by reason of the abnormal conditions. To the soldier who patriotically gave his services to his country and worked from reveille until retreat for $1 a day it does not appear to be consistent with fairness and justice that our Government should overlook the fact that at the same time, in the same camps, the commonest negro laborer was paid $4.50 and $5 a day. We insist that we are not asking for a gift, but that we are asking for a fair and adequate compensation for services rendered. It was the will of all present at this meeting that the chair appoint this committee and instruct them to communicate with you, urging that you give careful consideration to the measures now pending and that you actively support the proposition that the ex-soldier is entitled to assistance. In what form the assistance should be given, whether as a bonus or as a substantial loan, you are in a better position to judge. Expressing our high regards for you and appreciation for the distinguished service you have rendered the State in the past, we are, Very sincerely, yours, J. FRED JOHNSON, Jr., Committee. |