The Coconino sun., 1920-05-28
|HAYDEN'S POSITION ON
 SOLDIER BONUS LAW

The American Legion, a,
 Department of Arizona, | Tucson, Arizona.
 My Dear Andy:
 Remembering your interest in the enactment of legislation to compen- sate the veterans of the late war, want to frankly lay before you the situation so that you may know the actual conditions as they appear to me at this time.
 Not long ago sent you copy of the bill introduced at the request of the legislative committee of the Amer ican Legion, which was referred to the house committee on ways and means. The bill provided for nation al soldiers land settlement, home aid, vocational training and adjusted com, pensation, but the representatives of the Legion made no suggestions as. to how the money to carry out their recommendations was to be obtained. With Liberty, bonds now selling below 85 there is no sericds thought of an- other bond issue which could not be sold at par, and which would further depress the market. The treasury will have a deficit for over three bil- lion dollars on July 1, so the required sums can only be secured by taxation.
 If l had my way about it congress would authorize the payment of ad- ditional compensation to ex-service men according to the four-fold-plan advocated by the American Legion, and the funds to carry out the plan would be raised by tax upon war profits which the treasury department says will raise all the money that is needed. If this method were adopted those who became rich because of the war would be the sole contributors to the fund necessary for the payment of compensation to those who by their sacrifices won the war.
 What disturbs me at the present writing is that there is no certainty that an adequate "homes for sol diers" plan will be provided in pend- ing legislation and that there will, in all probability, be no opportunity to vote any other way than "Yea" or "Nay" on the bill which will be re- ported, and which I understand pro- vides that the cash necessary to pay the bonus will be exacted by tax | oi ihNlNiidttS anu sales. The present indications are that whatever the committee on ways and means it will contain a sales tax and that it will be considered under suspension of the rules on the next suspension day, which is Monday, May 5. Under the "gag rule" method of parliamentary procedure no amend ment of any kind will be in order, the only vote being for or against a bill, the full text of which will not be made known until the preceding Saturday. The best opportunity of the ex- service men in Arizona lies in the sol dier settlement feature of the Ameri- can Legion plan because one would be ! foolish to take the cash or other op- tlons so long as there was, a chance that he might obtain an irrigated farm unit, at the actual cost of develop ment, under the San Carlos or Parker or any other reclamation project. which will be worth at least $500 an acre when water is provided. The success of the Salt river and Yuma projects has demonstrated that quick CT and better results can be attained by reclaiming arid land in Arizona than in any other state in the union; consequently, have no fear but that the government will be sure to utilize the opportunities which are ready for development in our state.
 My present intention is to vote against the bill if it provides for nothing but cash bonus to be paid from the proceeds of sales tax, be- cause l do not believe that the return ed soldiers and sialOrs want to be put in the position of accepting money raised by method which will further increase the cost of food and clothing to all of the people of the United States. If, however, the bill provides ample funds for the construction of soldiers settlement projects, of which l am convinced one or more will be undertaken in Arizona, then shall'be inclined to support the measure even though it contains a sales tax, be- cause. however odious and unpopular such way of raising revenue may be the total contributions of the people of | Arizona will amount to less than the Sums which will be expended by the government in the development of irrigation projects in our state. | When the ex-service men are 'estab- lished on such projects they will be- come producers of new wealth which will be taxable by the state of Ari- zona and thus ultimately equalize the burden. -
 There will hardly be time for you to write me, but 1 shall appreciate re- ceiving a night letter from you, col lect, so that may have the benefit of your views.
 With best wishes, am,
 Yours very sincerely,