New-York tribune., 1920-03-04
BonusD
Denounced as
Menace to u. S.
Rainey Says Nation viii
Face Balshcvisln Unless
Calls of Organization
for Money Are Halted
Soldier Aid Plans Heard
Congressional Committee by
Questions Shows Grave
Doubts Over Finances

r,sr, The Tribarc's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, March 3.-The coun-
.rv will face communism and bolshe-
x,sm unless Congress calls a halt on
the demands being made on the Treas
,ury by the ex-soldiers and other or
eauiza,ions, Representative Henry T.
Rainey. Of Illinois. declared this after
noon at the hearing before the House
Wavs and Means Committee on the
suestion Of bonuses for ex-service men
OF the army and navy.
"The government clerks" he de-
i. elared, addressing Edward H. Hale,
chairman of the executive committee
# the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, "are now organized
$4,000 strong. and are demanding
,heir bonus. 'rhe American Federation
ot Labor Is organized FIVE million
strong and saying it is going to defeat
every member of Congress who does
not agree with its proposal to take
$50 1000 100000 from the Treasury to
buy the railroads and turn them over
10 the employees under the Plumb plan.
Now the soldiers come along, four mil
hon OK more strong, and are demand
ne government OF $4,000, 900 900. Even
the Federal judges have organized and
are demanding certain compensation.
"Ail you've got to do now is to or
rau;zc and then come here and
threaten the members of Congress. If
member Of Congress has against him
MI these voters, there is not the slight
est chance for him, and it would not
be Z calamity. But it would be a ca
lsnity to his opponent pledged to sus-
,air all these demands. That is cause
for worry, believe"
No Threats, Says Hale
Mr.. Hale insisted his organization
lad never threatened TO attack men,
hers Of Congress, but added that the
s.titude Of various posts Of his organi-
zstion, as directed to the Congres ssmen
in tho certain districts, could not be
stated.
"Ten million men are now demand
;ns some financial aid from the gov
.rnment-" continued Mr.. Rainey. "If
the demands were granted, do you
know what would happen The coun-
Try would pass overnight to commun-
,sm and Bolshevism."
Various plans Of rewarding the SOL
diers were put before tbe committee
during the day. The American Legion
has before the committee a request
that four propositions be comprised in
the iegislation-onc for q bonus or
pay adjustment" another for assist
snce in the purchase Of farms and an
the fourth for vocational education.
The Veterans Of Foreign Wars, repre-
sented by Mr.. Hale, expressed a re-
quest for bonus Of $50 month, with
an additional lump sum appropriation
Of $100, and assistance in the purchase
Of farms. The World War Veterans
asked for bonus of 81 for every day of
service, with a minimum of $3.50, and
tax upon sales to provide the revenues
for the appropriations necessary.
The committee is divided, with Rep
,esentative Fordney, chairman, favor
ing the bonus plan and with the ma
iority OF the members showing some
opposition. On the floor to-day Repre-
ter Of the Republican steering COM
mittee, insisted that plans for bonus
legialation now before the committee
would call for appropriations of from
TWO to twenty billions Of dollars and
that issuance Of bonds as prepared
would cause Liberty bonds now issued
TO drop to $75 in value.
Attack Made on Legion
Hardly had the committee met this
morning when Mr.. Hale attacked the
American Legion. He repeated his at
tscks throughout the day and insisted
that the members Of his organization
wanted their pay adjusted to provide
!or some Of the losses they sustained
IN service.
WHEN Mr.. Hale left the stand J, Fl.
haiper, member of the executive com
nittee OF the World War Veterans, was
called, and under examination by Rep
resentative Kitchin told tale of being
expelled from the private soldiers and
sailors legion" and then OF expelling
nis expellers, until the members Of
me committee were convulsed with
laushtsr. Halper was followed by Mar
Tn Gates Sperry, Of the private SOL
dlsrs' organization, and he replied to
me charges made against him by
daiper. Tomorrow, the committee
anderstands, another attack is to be
made on Sperry and his organization,
ana also upon J. B. Morgan, who is
living Cparr1r Jrf 49,