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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. what city did this occur? In the capital of Indiana.

In

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 re mains 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.,

Of the American Legion.

TERRE HAUTE, IND.

COMMUNICATIONS FAVORING ADJUSTED COMPENSATION.

NATIONAL WHOLESALE LUMBER DEALERS' ASSOCIATION,
New York, April 3, 1920.

Hon. JOSEPH W. FORDNEY,
Chairman Ways and Means Committee,

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:

"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

"Whereas Congress has not seen fit to award to these veterans the compensation and appreciation that is their due: Be it

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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

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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,
UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE,
Washington, D. C., March 10, 1929.

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
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Washington, D. C., March 6, 1920.

To the Members of the House of Representatives and Senators.
DEAR SIRS: We respectfully ask your friendly consideration and support for
H. R. 10373, introduced by Gen. I. R. Sherwood, of Ohio.

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 liberty, not merely poiltical liberty, but economic liberty. His services may 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,
National President.

Hon. Jos. W. FORDNEY,

PRIVATE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS' LEGION
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Washington, D. C., March 12, 1920.

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.,
GEO. J. BOWEN,

Committee.

[Telegram.]

VALLEJO, CALIF., March 5, 1920.

Chairman FORDNEY,

Ways and Means Committee,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.:

It is profoundly pathetic, the congressional economy talk, when soldier legislation bobs up. The taking of interest on foreign loans and disallowing many of the alleged but unsustained losses in war contracts would amply supply the necessary funds for adjusted compensation. Adjusted compensation is not a matter of gratitude, but absolute justice. So runs western belief.

NELSON WELBURN,
State Executive Officer,
California Department, American Legion.

SAN PEDRO, CALIF., March 11, 1920.

CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR CHAIRMAN: At a meeting of the board of directors held March 14 the secretary was instructed to inform you that a resolution was passed indorsing the request of the American Legion for legislation in their behalf, which is now before Congress.

We are informed by the American Legion that there are several bills under consideration in the House and in the Senate, and that the House bills are before the House Committee on Ways and Means. The American Legion does not ask us to indorse any one bill, but to indorse the following propositions : The provision for land-settlement projects covering all States:

A provision for financial aid to encourage purchase of rural or city homes. To provide for vocational education for all officers and men of the late war, whether disabled or not.

We therefore urge your favorable consideration of legislation along these lines, and further urge you, if consistent, to use your best efforts to secure passage of such legislation during the present session.

Yours, etc.,

SAN PEDRO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, By I. G. LEWIS, Secretary.

Hon. C. W. FORDNEY,

PRIVATE SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' LEGION
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Los Angeles, Calif., March 17, 1920.

Chairman Ways and Means Committee,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR: Representing as we do the great body of enlisted veterans of the World War who are now residents of the State of California and believing that we express the universal sentiment of those men when we say that they are heartily in favor of a bonus being paid to them by this Government; and Believing that the officers of the American Legion do not represent the rank and file of the enlisted men, but their own interests instead; and

Having followed carefully the newspaper reports of the attitude of Congress toward all bonus legislation and especially toward the bonus bills; and Having found that the great majority of the veterans of the World War in this State and approximately 100 per cent of the members of the Private Soldiers' and Sailors' Legion in this State favor the Sherwood bill, which provides for the the payment of $560 in cash to every man who was in the service regardless of color, rank, or organization; and

Having been informed that this bill, along with all others touching upon soldier legislation, is in the hands of your committee; and

Since it is the universal impression of the ex-service men as well as of the general public that this bonus bill as well as all other bills touching upon soldier legislation, is to be held in committee until after the general election, for reasons best known to the committee; and

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