Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-06
SOLDIERS BONUS
STRONGLY OPPOSED

Representative Moore Pre-
sents Strong Argument
Against the Proposal.
Opposition to any form Of soldiers
bonus legislation, and especially
against a cash bonus, was expressed
in sorceful speeches by some Of the
Representative r. Walton Moore.
democrat, of Virginia made the
strongest out-and-out speech againSt
the bonus that has yet been made: he
said he would be -, ,Pa come pl out
frankly in stating that he believed 1t
would be against the best interests
of the people, especially the ex-serV-
Ice men,"
Others who Joined with Representa-
posed bonus legislation were House
Leader Mondell. Representative Ack,
erman (republican) Of New Jersey and
Representative Sisson (democratl of
Mississippi. Representative Wood
(republican) of Indiana vigorously
opposed the land settlement features
which have beenSurged. and Repre-
sentative Mondell, who had been faith
ering this plan. replied with heat.
Mr.. Moore's Speech.
Representative Moore in his cool and
deliberate argument against the pro-
posed bonus maintained the reputa-
ton he has made Of giving the House
something that he has carefully
terrupted by applause, especially
when he made such statements as the
mo one can fairly contend that the
so-called adjusted compensation is
compensation in full. or. In any true
sense, compensation at all. There ID
no method Of arithmetic for express
and II that were possible. no treasury
would be rich enough to meet the
liability. It 10 not compensation, but
q present money donation. The legis-
lation cannot operate as an acquit-
lance to bar like appropriations. No
assurance Is or can be given that like
appropriations will not hereafter be
from time to time suggested and
made. If this step Is taken an uu-
limited mortgage Is placed upon the
future. and that might as well be
understood now"
In pointing out that the proposed
legislation would be actually harm
LUZ 10 tue INcu lIkcH6clVe6s 3bSpE6"
sentative Moore pledged himself to
further efforts to provide employment
and educational advantages for the
ex-service men. saying:
There Is nothing that can be done
by legislation in the way Of furnish.
ing employment for the ex-servic<
men which I will not cooperate in do.
ing. There is nothing within the prov
ince Of legislation in the way OF
further affordinH them the opportu.
nifty for education from which / will
withhold my support II 1t is separate.
ly proposed.
Education and employment are de.
vote for a cash bonus. and the fun.
damental reason for refusing to do sc
il because OF my hrm opinion, consid-
erinG It from the point Of view Of the
men themselves, that It II distinctly
undesirable: that 1t would be not only
would make against personal initia-
tive and self-reliance. 1t would en-
courage dependence on the govern.
ment, dependence by one class on eli
other classes in the community. who
would. Of course. bear the burden OF
the contribution for the benefit OF the
favored class"
sunnarixes Situation.
In summarizing the situation Mr..
Moore said:
THE thing as proposed cannot be
done at all without in the main pass
ing the tax to the consumers of the
country. all of whom will pay in the
execution Of this plan higher prices
for the necessaries Of life. The other
day ! heard some one remark here
that a sales tax Is rather unimportant
to the consumer. But we know from
common experience that such a tax
is always multiplied before It reaches
the consumer: and In these days 1t
will be multiplied to the limit. The
plement. the housewife who buys a
supply Of groceries. will pay the sales
tax, which will be increased before 1t
10 paid according to the dictates of
cupidity or convenience. This tax the
bill calls victory tax
There il frequent allusion in the
House to the enormous public debt
that has been incurred and the load
Of taxation that the people are now
carrying. The fact has a seriousness
that cannot be exaggerated. We are
constantly impressed with the i'm
and economizing IN expenditures. But,
II this measure should be adopted, no
member OF this House, whether leader
or follower. should ever stand here
again and advocate economy and q
reduction OF taxes. The leader Of the
and the estoppel will apply TO all Of
| US on both sides We win have be-
come unable to claim that we are
earnest and consistent champions OF
q policy OF economy and reduction.
We will only be able to feebly claim
that we are for such q policy when
1t happens to be along the line Of
little resistance.
Il have spoken Of the measure as ex-
traordinary and as fixing a dangerous
precedent. From the foundation Of the
government up to June 30. 1916. the
| total expenditures Of the government In
pension payments amounted to q little
over $4,000, 100000. and now We are
proposing In connection with q war OF
short duration Just over to provide fol
a payment at one stroke of not much
il any. less than $4,000. 100000 in add.
ton to all that has been appropriated
and all that must be appropriated fol-
the benefit Of the men who wero disabled
and the dependents Of those who have
passed away.
II see nothing in the measure to com.
mend it and J cannot give It my sup.
port. Believing IL to be against the
| best interests Of the public-the entire
public including primarily the ex-service
man-if were to support the measure
to gain some personal advantage. OF
keep silent for that purpose. would
be false to every promise made to the
generous people whose commission beal
II would be nothing more than pouti.
cal prohteer. Many a soldier friend OF
mine would regard me a. q mere politi.
! cal pronteer."
TOOK RINGS FOR A DANCE.
Miss Doris Hodges Says She Did