Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-05-13
DIFFERING THE BONUS

l.
DIFFERING THE BONUS
As usually happens in the presidential
wooing period. an attempt has been made
to play politics with an important meas
urs in the shape of the proposition to
reoompense our ex-service men. The
democrats in Congress. realizing that the
Republican party is in control and there
pie. have sought to put the republicans
'1n a hole" on this issue.
As result of protests against increas-
Ing the tax burden at this time to the
tune of 81. 1000 it occurred to the dem
ocrats that they might be seeking to play
q solo on the wrong string. Accordingly
after a series Of conferences representing
the two parties 1t was agreed there was
no prospect Of enacting soldier relief leg
islation before the forthcoming congress
sional recess until after the national con-
ventions.
Representative Knutson, Of Minnesota,
the republican whip, said that many men,
bers felt the whole question should go
over until after the November election
80 as to avoid the possible injection OF
partisanship in it's consideration.
Representative Garner. Of Texas. dem
ocratic whip and member Of the ways and
means committee which conducted ex-
tensive hearings on relief legislation. de-
clared sentiment was rapidly changing"
and that a majority Of the democratic
members of the committee were willing
to let the bill continue to sleep in COM
mittee".
The readers of the Free Press will be
interested In the editorial discussion Of
Washington Post. which Is on the ground.
and therefore in position to speaks ad-
visedly. The Post says:
1.-The protests which are raised in and
out of Congress against the enactment
of the proposed soldier bonus legislation
should not be construed as a tendency to
ingratitude upon the part OF the public
toward the men who fought the nations
battles during the war; 1t is nothing OF
the sort. 1t is merely an awakening OF
the public to the true meaning Of the bon
us proposals.
1.-THE Post on number Of occasions
has emphasized the statement that the
bonus question should be determined up.
on it's merits. with absolute frankness
to the people. They must be given to un
derstand that upon them will fall the
expense Of gifts TO the former servic,
men, and they must not be deceived will
the suggestion that taxes may be levied
upon a certain class to provide the funds
leaving the general public untouched.
'Tt is estimated that the bonus plan un
der consideration will involve an expen
diture of close to 5000 oO0 900. II 1t
adopted this amount must be raised b.
taxation, and no matter how the take
are laid. experience has taught that Il
the end the general public pays them
Whether tax on retail sales, a tax O
stock and real estate transfers or even
retroactive tax upon war profits, in tn
last analysis they will be passed on t
the ultimate consumer.
Fully realizing this, II the sentimer
Of the public is in favor Of voting a bonu
to the former service men. Congress
should enact the legislation. Should 1t b
evident that the weight Of opinion is bac
of the proposal. senators and represents
tives will have no reason for hesitatin,
For the people must pay the BILL an
II they indicate their willingness and reac
mess to pay. Congress certainly shou
vote the bonus.
ION the other hand. if there is a stror
sentiment against adding further to Il
tax burdens Of the people for this pu
pose. Congress ought not to enact tn
legislation. Taxes already are oppressi
and the public has the right to deci
whether the load should he increase
There should be a national referendu
on the subject as nearly as it is pra
will of the masses may be determin
with a fair degre Of accuracy Once tn
will Is made plain Congress should f.
low 1t.
Neither the service mems organiz
lions nor members of Congress sho,
play politics with this subject. Vo
ought not to be bought at the expense
the taxpayers. nor ought those advcoc
Ing immediate action by implied thru
or promise endeavor TO influence c.
gress. Large numbers OF former soldi
are utterly opposed to any bonus at
THE argument that the nation oy
this money to the soldiers and sail
who served In the World war is all wro
The nation owes them nothing more tn