Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-01
BITTER DEBATE ON !
SOLDIER BONUS BILL
House Republican Caucus,
Disagreeing on Sales Tax,
P0stpones Action.

With plans for passing the bill next
Monday abandoned because the party
caucus last night developed such OPP
position to the proposal for raising
revenue by a sales tax that its elm
1nation was declared to be certain,
republican leaders today were seek
ing to effect a new compromise on
soldier relief legislation.
After being in session four hours.
during which all efforts to obtain the
united support of the party for the
bill as drawn by the ways and means
committee failed, the caucus adjourn
ed. No date for the next conference
was set. but Representative Mondeil.
floor leader, announced it would be
held late next week.
Bitter Debate Arises.
The debate, which was behind
closed doors, was said to have been
bitter at times, particularly in so 1ar
as the proposed sales tax was con-
cerned. Blocking of immediate &C
ton was made possible by q combi-
nation Of those opposing the sales
tax with those opposing the leglsla-
ton in it's entirety. The latter. 1oi-
lowing the meeting: expressed the
belief that no relief measure coulu
be passed at this session.
Supporters of the measure TO-DAY
however, were working in an eHort
to devise a plan that not only wou'a
swing the support OF insurgent
members Of their own party to the
measure. but would also obtain the
backing of a number of democrats
This. they were said to believe, could
he done with the substitution OF some
form of tax levy for the sales tax.
enactment Of which was declared TO
be impossible.
"Cold Feet" In Charge.
Chairman Fordney of the ways and
means committee that framed the Dill
in closing the conference with a We
hement speech, declared some MEM
bers were getting cold feet" and
that any one unwilling to pay bonus
was coward"
A resolution. approved by the re-
publican steering committee. sought
to pledge the entire republican MEM
bership to support the bill as drafted
by their colleagues of the ways and
means committee. but Mr.. Fordney,
after presenting it. told the meeting
that adoption Of the proposal would
not be considered as binding.
Representative johnson OF South
Dakota, leader Of the insurgents. said
that sixty-eight republicans had
signed a petition declaring in favor
of the legislation. but announcing
that they would not support the sales
tax.
He proposed that the legislation be
sent back to the ways and means
committee with instructions to elm
mate that feature and adopt some
other form of raising revenue. Sim
ilarly, Representative Little, Kansas.
had moved to eliminate the sales tax
by direct action of the conference
along with it's direction that a levy
of taxes on big incomes be substi-
xuted.
Another Proposition Submitted. i.
Another proposal also was placed
before the republicans by Representa-
tive Morgan (Okla.), who favored an
authorization of one hundred million
dollars to be used as direc.ea ny the
ing money to former service men for
carrying out the provisions of the
bill for aiding them in buying FARMS
or city houses. This. with the three
other proposals. remained as unfin-
ished business for disposition at the
next party conference.
During general discussion Of the
bill. vigorous attacks of the provision
for farm settlements under the So
called Lane-Mondell plan of reclaim
tives White (kan.) and Wood Und.).
the latter asserting the provision con-
tanned "a Niger in the woodpile."
The provision is so drawn. Mr.. Wood
eontended, as to make it possible for
civilians instead Of ex-service men to
get possession of lands after reclama-
tion by the government.
Representatives Tincher Of Kansas
and Cannon Of Illinois suggested that
the cash bonus, computed on basis
Of $1.25 day for each days service
during the war, should be paid in
four annual installments, which. they
said. would remove the necessity for
q sales tax.