Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-05-01
SOLDIER BONUS
BILL REPORTED
TO THE HOUSE

WASHINGTON, April 3O.-The
ways and means committee today, by
strictly party vote, favorably re-
ported to the house the soldier bonus
bill.
If approved by the Republican eau
Gus tonight, the measure will be call
ed up in the house next Monday for
action.
Democrats strongly opposed the
provisions of the bill providing for a
tax on sales, but were outvoted by
the Republicans. q.
Bonuses and other forms of aid
for service men can not be paid un-
til the first part of next year, the
Republicans decided, and none of
the taxes necessary to raise the
money for paying the soldiers shall
be effective before January 1, 1921.
The increased taxes proposed would
bring the total government revenues
next year to nearly $6,000,000,000 or
virtually as much as was raised
during any year of the war.
The Republican plan, it is expect
ed will be approved by the commit
tee today. despite Democratic OBJ
jections, and be submitted to the Re
publican caucus tonight. 1t is vir-
tually certain to be the plan the
house acts on Monday.
Based OH Plan of Legion
The bill as finally. approved by
the Republicans is based on the
four-fold plan of the. American
Legion, serevice men being given
the option of cash bonus, farm or
home aid, vocational training or
paid up insurance. No benefits viii.
be allowed for the first sixty days
service, as this was thought to have
teen covered by the original bonus.
Service men choosing the cash
bonus or the farm settlement bene-
fits will be allowed $1.25 for each
days service. while those prefer
ring home building. aid, vocational
training Or paid UP insurance will
receive credit of $1.75 per day.
The cash bonus is to be paid in four
equal installments probably begin
ming April 1, 1921
A change in the original plan ex-
tends the benefits to officers below
The grade of captain in the army and
lieutenant (senior grade) in the navy
and to regular army men for their
services during the period of the
war. The committee eliminated those
who received additional compensation
from private interests during the
war, yeomanettes and service men
assigned to Industrial plants where
they received extra pay.
Taxing Program ..
The taxing program decided upon
may be summarized, as follows:
1. A tax of 1 per cent on retail
sales, including hotel and restaurant
service. for all business. with month";
ly sales in excess of $1,000. Heavy
penalties are provided to punish any
person charging more naccpunt of
the tax than it's actual amount. This
is depended on to yield $4O0, 900, 900
annually. <.. e.
2. A levy Of one-half of one per
cent on real estate transfers to yield
S1O0,000,O00 yearly.
8. A tax on stock and grain ex-
change transactions of one-fifth, of
one per cent on the total sales esti-
mated to yield $1O0,000,Oo0 a year
A. Present surtaxes Increased as
follows: One per cent on incomes
from $4,000 to $4,000; 9. per cent on
incomes from $4,000 to $a5;o00; 8
per cent on incomes above $4,000.
These additions would yield about
$151, 100000 yearly.
5. Additional taxes averaging SO
per cent on all tobaceos. The in
creased tax OH cigarettes is approxi-
mately 66 per cent. This yield would
be S51,O00,000 annually.