The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1920-06-02
BONUS BILL IS
PASSED BY HOUSE
COSTS ONE AND A HALF
PHLI0N-RAILROADED.
THROUGH in FORTY
MINUTES.
VOTE. 2S9 TO 92
Senate May Yet Defeat II. Plea
For Votes In Coming
EelectiOn.
VOTE 2S9 TO 80

Washington, June Under
gag rule and with farcical debate
Of 40 miautes, the House Saturday
passed the Fordney soldier bonus bill,
carrying increased taxes Of 81 1,400,-
100000 which makes it the greatest
peace time revenue measure ever
acted upon BY either branch of Con-
gress.
The majority on the final roll call
was at the ratio of slightly more
than 3 to /, the vote being 2S9 to 80.
Under the parliamentary situation by
which the measure was called up,
two-thirds majority was necessary.
The bonus advocates polled 35 votes
more than were needed.
The bill now goes to the Senate
where 1t is extremely unlikely that
any action will be taken before the
proposed recess or adjournment on
June 5, and where it is probable that
the measure will be killed.
As passed Saturday the bill pro-
vides that the increased taxes will
go into effect Dec l. but that none of
the benefits shall be paid before July
/, 1921. II allows to about 100000
of the service men a cash bonus of
$125 a day for foreign and 81 for
domestic service, or an option of
home aid land settlement, paid-up in
surance or vocational training. An
allowance al 40 per cent additional
is given if the optional plans are tax
en-. The maximum cash bonus is
fixed at $500, and the maximum for
the other plans at 1925. No credit
is given for any service previous to
April 8, 1917, or after July /, 1919,
or to any man who served less than
60 days.
aa Taxes Under Bill.
The taxes which are to continue
three years follows:
One-ffth of one per cent on all
stock and grain exchange transac-
tions.
One-half per cent on all real estate
transfers.
Increased tobacco taxes, ranging
from 38 to sc per cent.
Increased surtaxes as follows: On
incomes between $4,000 and $4,000,
one per cent; between $4,000 and
$4,000, two per cent; above $4,000
three per cent.
The debate on the bill was one of
the most disgraceful scenes in the
history of the House, even bonus ad-
vocates admitted. Usually revenue
bill of such Importance is given calm
and deliberate consideration, but Sat
urday the measure was jammed
I through with no chance for amend
ment and while the House was in a
continuous uproar,
No one talked about the bill in the
40 minutes allowed or the far-reach-
ing effect of its provisions on the
general welfare of the country, but
nearly a score of members engaged in
dcmagogery for the sole purpose of
attracting soldier votes in the next
( election. The Democrats h)otC0 and
howlod whtn some Republic tried
to pay a glowing tribute to the SER
vice men, and the "grandstand' was
reversed when Democrat spoke. A
service man in the galley could not
have received the impression that the
bill was passed to help him; through
all, the proceeding was the undeniable
appeal for votes.
The Republican party cannot es-
cape the rosponsibility for the pas
sage Of the bill and the fippant man
ner in which it was considered, but
it should be said that 40 conservative
and prominent Republicans fought the
measure at every turn. On the final
vote, SO Democrats voted mo"