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Show EX-SERVICE MEN TO GET PAY FOR DUTY Is the mnss of the people in favor of adjusted compensation for the service men? The question was answered in no uncertain un-certain terms in Missouri recently when the state voted on 21 amendments to the state constitution, snowed under un-der all but six, and among those six that won was a provision for the issuance issu-ance of $4,000,000 for Missouri World war fighters. For several days all except the soldier sol-dier amendment was in doubt. The newspapers proclaimed its success the first day and kept adding to its majority major-ity as returns came In. To the American Legion In Missouri, led by its commander, H. D. McBride, all credit Is due. When Missouri's first bonus went through two years ago the number of claimants was underestimated. underesti-mated. There was not sufficient funds to pay all. It required an amendment to the state constitution to finish the payments. The American Legion began be-gan a campaign for a square deal to the 25,000 who lost out. For months a commission held sessions ses-sions evolving a new constitution for the state. Columns of publicity were given to their work. The one amend- F ,! y i t it v 3 - 1 I f ?; JSt i Col. G. H. Scruton. ment for the soldiers, sailors and marines ma-rines received but scant attention by those engrossed with the heavy study of writing a constitution for a state that was doing business under provisions provi-sions made by a past generation. As the election drew near an undercover under-cover effort was made to defeat the amendment for the soldiers. It brought a scathing statement from G. H. Scruton Scru-ton of Sedalia, Mo., district committeeman committee-man of the American Legion, and a fighter for the Legion in peace with the same do-or-die punch that he showed In France. The statement was Issued .he evening before the election. It was sent broadcast through the state, the metropolitan newspapers giving it first-page prominence. Scruton said : "Rumor has reached this city that sample ballots being distributed in larger cities do not suggest support of amendment No. 4, which provides for the payment of the state bonus to those soldiers who did not participate In the original appropriation because the funds were exhausted before their names were reached. "Former service men here and in neighboring communities in this part of the state appeal to the voters of St. Louis to vote for this amendment. It Is right and just and fair. Its defeat would be a stain on the good name of trTe state of Missouri." The amendment carried by 65,904 majority. |