The Mahnomen Pioneer

The Deserving Veteran

Washington is a little closer to many governmental situations than a small town a hundred miles away. Reading newspapers throughout the country one is often surprised at the utter inadequacy of news about national and international matters that reaches many readers. Even the Congressman sent here to represent a section is frequently far from acquainted with the affairs of the nation. And one of the matters about which there is a lot of misinformation is the veteran. Congress intended that all veterans who were disabled as a result of their service should be compensated. But Washington knows that a great many people do not hesitate to "work" the Government for any dollar that may be extracted from it: on the other hand the Government has to watch its every nickel because of this fact. Another fact that must be considered is that Washington generally has to work on the basis of law, not sentiment. The Government is generally controlled by specifications. Money is voted, but generally it is definitely assigned. Just now there is some agitation over certain sufferers from tuberculosis or mental disease. The limits for filing claims is January 1, 1930. But proof must be forthcoming that the disease was contracted prior to January 1, 1925. It appears that a number of men have been unable to furnish such positive proof. It would seem that some solution of this situation might be found, and veterans should give their support to it.