The Washington times., 1920-05-09
.F|NAL BONUS
! FIGHT BEGUN
House Ways and Means Com
mittee Expected to Decide on
Definite Course Tomorrow.

The fight in the House for pas
sage OF soldier aid legislation entered
the final stage yesterday, when Re-
publican members OF the Ways and
Means Committee began reconsidera-
tion OF the subject,
After the meeting, the real friends
OF the legislation on the committee
expressed confidence that the bill
will be passed at this seccion OF Con-
gress. Lukewarm supporters and op-
ponents of the measure asserted that
favorable action by the House and
Senate at this session is beyond the
range Of possibility.
Another meeting OF the committee
was called for tomorrow, when adefl-
mite decision is expected to be reach
ed on the course the committee Will
pursue with regard 10 reporting out
-the bill. Some members of the COM
mittee declared this afternoon that
the revised bill may be ordered re-
ported out by Wednesday.
In this event, II could be taken UP
In the House on Monday, May II,
under the original plan of the lead
ers to pass II under suspension OF
the rules with the sales tax pro-
vision eliminated. advocates OF the
legislation are confident the two
thirds ajority necessary to suspend
the rules and pass the measure can
be obtained.
Oppose Gsrner's Views.
Democratic Congressman on and off
the committee took pains to let.their
colleagues know the statements at
tributcd to Congressman Garner OF
Texas, the Democratic whip. Ia some
OF the newspapers Friday morning.
did not represent their views. AR.
Garner was quotea cs having said
eight minority members Of Ihe com
mittee would vote aca'rst a favor
able report on the csi;iR.io;., Con-
gressman Dickinson OF Missouri, a
member OF the committee emphat-
icaIly informed other Democrats that
his position In favor of passing bonus
legislation at this session had not
been altered Congressman Hull of
Tennessee, another minority member
OF the committee, was reported by
his colleagues to have expressed
similar sentiments.
y Advocates of the bonus bill also
claimed that opponents on the com
mittce failed to strengthen their
forces. Discussion, it was stated. in
dicated that only three Republicans
on the committee-Longwo of
Ohio; Trcadway. Massachusetts,, and
II,
IT when the final test comes in the
committee.
Chairman Fordney. an ardent advo-
cate of the proposed soldier aid. made
il plain. it was understood, that a
Showdown" on the legislation will
he forced. Subsequent expressions of
opinion. it was said, then revealed
that a ma ajority of the committee still
favors favorable action.
Reduction Is Opposed. -''
Suggestions for changes in the bill
tee affect only the taxing sections and
,the land settlement provision. Pro-
posals by opponents OF the bill to
limit the amount of cash to be paid
to any soldier to $500 and credit on
the alternatives plans TO 500 were
given scant consideration, it was un
derstood. Effort TO reduce the pro-
posed cash bonus to 81 day, instead
OF S1.25, as originally provided, like
wise was Overwhelmingly opposed.
The most likely compromise pro-
posals discussed were said to be
these:
Mot to adopt any substitute for
the abandoned sales tax, but to eX-
tend over three years, instead of two,
as the original bill provided. the in
creased income tax, tax on real estate
transfers, tax on stock, and grain eX-
change transactions and tax on to-
hacco products.
Cut down the proposed appro-
priation under the irrigation and