Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1920-04-21
DOLLAR A Day
BONUS SCHEME
Soldiers Would Get 81 for Each
Days Service IL Plan Goes
Through For War COmpen-
satiOn.
OFFICERS WOULD NOT
GET THE BONUS
Money Would Be Raised by Tax OF
One-Half of One Per Cent on All
Sales, if Bill Goes Through.

Washington, ID. ca cash bonus
of 81 for each days service would be
given to approximately 100000 OF
the 4,S00,OOO men in the army, navy
and marine corps during the war un-
der a plan that has been approved by
the bonus subcommittee of the House
Ways and Means committee.
The program which will be sub
mitted to the full committee for ap-
proyal during this week, calls for an
expenditure of slightly less than
81, 900, 100000 which is to be raised
by a tax of one half of one per cent
On all sales. 1t is considered likely
that this plan will be the one which
will be submitted to the House in the
near future.
With the purpose of limiting the
bonus to those who endured heavy
financial sacrifices during the war,
the subcommittee has eliminated
several classes OF service men from
the groups entitled to benefits, the
total number eliminated being esti-
mated at 100000
Among these classes are:
Those who served less than 60 days
because these men already have re-
ceived the original $50 bonus.
Men who were assigned to in
dustrial plants, such as ship building,
ann received extra compensation
therefor.
All officers.
Men in the regular army before
the declaration of war.
Men who, while serving in the army
received compensation from their
employers or business interests.
No man would be given the bonus
until he applied for it and this, it is
believed, would reduce the total ex-
penditure, as many service men who
have wealth are not expected to ask
the extra compensation. The appli-
cation is to contain an affidavit that
the soldier is not in any of the above
classes.
The plan calls for payment of the
bonus in four equal installments and
the sales taxes are to be collected in
the corresponding periods.
The average service, the subcom-
mittee has been informed, is 10
months, making the average bonus
about $500. Men who were promoted
to be commissioned officers would be
paid only for the time they served
as enlisted men. The committee is
now waiting for estimates from the
Treasury department as to exactly
how much can be raised by the tax
on sales, but preliminary estimates
place the amount at about S1,5O0,-
0O0, 600. The levying of this tax also
would be in the nature of an expert
ment, as there is sentiment in Con-
gress for having it replace some of
the other taxes later. For the present
however, it must be in addition to all
other taxes.
Under the House committee plan,
all business with total sales OF less
than s2,5O0 a year and all small
farmers should be exempted. The tax
would not be paid by stamps as is the
case in present consumption levies.
It's collection, 1t is believed, will be
simple. All business concerns at the
end OF every three months after the
passage of the law would simply pay
one half OF one per cent, on their
total sales. The advocates of the tax
claim it would not increase the cost
Of living in any considerable degree.
as it would amount to only so cents
on every 500. All transactions,
wholesale, retail and real estate,
would be taxed.
.