The Tomahawk., 1920-02-26
SOLDIER BONUS
ACT IS COMING
Old Gang on Congress Corn
cred at Last by Nonpartisan
Group and Makes Promise.

Washington, D. C.-After week of
delay, the Republican steering COM
mittee in the House has yielded to
the demands made upon it for soldier
bonus legislation. A special commit
tee will be created by the House to
consider all soldier bonus bills, and to
draft and report bill which will get
the support of the majority in the
House. The demand for action was
presented to the steering committee
last Monday by committee of three,
selected by group conference OF pro-
gressive congressman. The organizers
Of this conference were Reps. Keller
and Carss Of Minnesota and Baer and
Sinclair of North Dakota. Keller,
Baer and Sinclair are known here as
the Nonpartisan delegation from the
Northwest.
Let Soldiers Wait.
The Republican organization In the
House, led by Mondell of Wyoming,
has for six months been avoiding the
issue of the relief to be given the re-
turned soldiers. Numerous bills grant
ing honors and promotions and favors
to officers have been promptly con-
sidered, reported and passed, but the
common soldiers who fought and won
the Great War have had to wait. They
are still waiting. They had good
prospect of waiting until they or the
Republican organization in the House
died of old age, when Reps. Keller,
Baer, Sinclair and Carss got together
and decided to see whether Mr.. Mon
dell and his steering committee could
not be jolted.
Progressives Confer.
The first group conference was at
tended by a considerable number of
progressive members, both Republican
and Democratic. 1t was then decided
that the greatest progress would be
made if only the Republicans were to
carry on the work of the group with
the Republican leaders. Mr.. Carss &C.
cordingly remained away from the
second meeting, when the special COM
mittee of three, of whom Mr.. Baer was
one, was chosen to interview the steer
ing committee and demand of them
that they get prompt action on SOL
der bonus bill.
MondelI Makes "Poor Mouth"
Baer's committee had a lively meet
ing with Mondell and the steering
committee. The Republican organiza-
ton made a "poor mouth" but Baer
reminded them that four million vet
Grams knew all about the items of
governmental extravaganza and of
possible taxation Of the profiteers; he
wanted to know, on behalf Of the pro-
gressive members of the House who
have asked that the soldiers be given
q square deal, whether the leaders
would report a bonus bill or not. If
not, then he and his friends would cir
culate a caucus call. Fifty members
can summon a Republican caucus, to
deal with any issue.
Promise to Be Good.
Mondell and the steering committee
hastily assured the intruders that
there was no need for caucus; they
would attend to the matter. All they
wanted was few days time in which
to arrange with the Ways and Means
committee, the Military Affairs COM
mittee and the Rules committee for
right Of way for bonus measure.
That was on Monday, January 10Th.
The week Of January IS they promised
to bring about the creation of spe-
cial committee to handle the bonus
bill, and that when that committee
brings in a report they will see that
it gets a special rule which will per-
NIT an almost immediate consideration
and vote on that bill.
First Item on Program.
While soldier bonus legislation is
only the first item on the program
that the Nonpartisan and progressive
conference group has set out for it.
self, Baer and Sinclair and Keller and
Carss think that they have already
proved the value Of their conference.
No such movement has been afoot
in the House since the days of the
overthrow Of the power Of Speaker
Cannon by the Insurgents, led by Vic
<o,, NY,,rf1ool- ond Coorro Norric