Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1919-04-25
Bonus Problem.

SCiQiCF 6ONuS FtoDtCtfa
A new bill embodying the ideas NJ
some of the other measures, and some
of the ideas suggested at the hearing
will be offered by the joint finance
committee to cover the soldier bonus
proposition. A score of people an
peared before the committee to urge.
the passage of the measure. 1t was
evident that the speakers favored a
compromise of the Nye and Pullen,
bills. with some. additional features
that win bring a larger bonus to thu
privates than that proposed in the
Cunningham bill.
The joint committee on finance was
unanimous that something should be
done for the returned and returning
soldiers, sailors and marines, and thew
win prepare a bin doing all within their
power.
1.-THE first problem that confronts
the committee is to providef or imme-
diate relief" says the official commit
tee statement Assuming that a bin
would be valid which taxed the people.
of the state for this purpose, the more
serious question is whether the state
has any power to raise the money by
bond issue or otherwise, for immediate
use.
the committee is satisfied that it is
a proper subject for federal legisla-
ton, but it is a condition and not a
theory that confronts the COMMITTEES
and, regardless of who ought to do it.
the committee wants to and intends
to DO all that it can.
"1he committee will prepare bin
just as quickly as it can, but if it at
tempts to make undue haste there is
danger that it will get bill not we'll
considered and which, therefore, will
be of no value at all. 1t is more diff
ficult problem than people generally
consider and the public may rest as
sured that the boys will get every
thing that it is possible for the state
to grant.
THE minimum amount to be raised
will apparently be $10,O00O00.
1.-THE committee is going to call in
the best outside assistance, both finan-
cial and legal, they can get to help
them"
Senator Cunningham told the com-
mittee that legislation of this kind was
needed and needed quick He said
that his bill would give the men three
months pay after the amount paid by
the federal government as bonus had
been deducted. Senator Bird pointed
out that in the case of $50 a month
private this would only mean that the
private would get $50, while the Off
Ger would receive a larger sum. Sena-
tor Anderson asked if Senator Gun
ningham favored bond or direct
tax? He replied that he favored any
plan that would get the money for the
men.
IF the bonding proposition were not
feasible you would favor the putting
of the sum required in the next state
taxi" suggested Senator G. B. Bird,
Put it in the state tax If you have
to- declared Senator Cunningham.
hut work out some scheme whereby
this money can be obtained for the
men quickly"
Senator Pullen declared that he be-
lieyed the men would get a larger
measure of justice under his bin. He
declared that his measure provided for
a $40 a month bonus, based on the
number of months that man had
been in the service. He pointed out
that under his plan the private would
receive as much bonus as the officer,
and he thought there should be no dis
elimination in that regard Perhaps
some compromise bill should be work
ed out, said Senator Pullen, but he
thought that the educational benefits
of the Nye bill would not extend to
more than one-tenth of the soldiers.
II think my bill will cost from S57
100000 to $8,00OO00," said Senator
PulIen, depending upon how soon
these men are gotten out of the sery-
ice"
Senator Nye explained the provi-
sions of his bill for applying the S. A.
T, G. plan for the education of soldiers
in the higher institutions of learning
in the state.