The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-08
TREASURY FACES. BANKRUPTCY F. BONUS BILL PASSES.
Underwood One of Five Sena- tors, Up to Present, Who Have Boldly Come Out
 Against Bill
By HUGH W. ROBERTS Washington Bureau The Ase-Herald
 800 Davidson Building

300 Davidson Building
 Washington, July 7.-(Special. J. The payment of bonus to soldiers amounting to between $3,000, ,000, ,000 and $5,000, 100000 will bankrupt the treasury of the United States. Sec retary Mellon has reached such conclusion. President Harding is so agitated by the situation that he visited the capitol today and con- ferred with senators of his party.
 He made it clear he would com municate with the Senate, within short time. respecting the bonus. It is undestood that he will advocate going the limit in caring for the wounded and the needy but will con- tend that the present is not tho pro- pitious moment for the payment of cash to able bodied men who from patriotic motives. served their coun- try in the hour of danger.
 The members of the Senate as . rule, are shaking because of the bonus. The great majority have com- mitted themselves to the soldiers of the country. They rejoiced that the letter of Secretary Mellon gave them an opportunity of escape. They are hopeful that the President will re- lieve them of their committals by is- suing q statement that the govern ment cannot, at this time, pay the bonus.
 xpI~ hax l. ,~ despite the distress ot the treasury, and hope that 1t will die in the House. It is estimated that if tho bonus is voted, tho expenditure the fiscal year ending June 30, 1923 will approxi- mate ss.000, 900 900.
 Underwood Against Bill
 Of all the senators, just five. up to the present time, have boldly taken position against the bonus bill. They are Senators Underwood. of Alabama. democratic leader. Glass of Viginia, former Secretary of the Treasury. Williams of Missi ssippi. and Myers of Montana. democrats. and Warren of Wyoming, chairman Of apnropria- tions committee, and as such well in- formed as to the financial condition of the government. Senator Under wood tonight made A statement for tiil1 HCWSpdPCt ICi9ttNE " hio Gs titude He does not think that the soldiers who made the sacrifice are demanding to bc rewarded in dollars He stresses the fact that the burden of taxation. now overwhelming, can not In safety be increased. He refers to the condition of the treasury. In conclusion. he differentiates between the able bodied ex-soldiers and the wounded For the care and protection. of the latter he sponsors all pending Legislation. His statement regarding the bonus bill follows;
 One Dollar a Day
 "The so-called bonus bill. now under consideration in the Senate proposes to pay as additional com pensati ton to the men who served in the army and navy during the great war s1.O0 a day for each day of ser vice to those who remained in the Uniter States and s1.25 day for ser vice with the expedtionary forces abroad. "If we are to consider the value of their service to the country in dollars and cents or from money standpoint, the proposal is fnade- quate for the sacrifice they made. q do not view the bill from the standpoint of money. Under the constitution every man in the United States is subject to the call of his country. It is service that is ex- pected of every loyal citizen just at citizen of the states is expected tc serve on jury duty when summoned to the courts for that purpose. H. s10 a day. The allowance for jur, duty may be s3 day He sacrifices s7 for serving his country but every citizen is expected to cheerfully mall this sacrifice if it is necessary an' all loyal and patriotic citizens re. spond to the call of the government
 On Higher Plane
 "I believe that the services or tht soldiers in the great war stands or a higher plane. They served fro'r patriotic motives and no man among ] them thought when he was making the great sacrifice of money com pensation in return. Of course. If ths government could afford to ade- uuately compensate the men wht made the great sacrifice 1t would be great thing to do so, but the bur dens of the war are pressing heavily upon ns.
 "The obligation, whether 1t be to the soldier or some one else must ultimately be met and in the end must be paid by the tax payers 1 The burden of taxation is so grea'
 now that we ought not to increase | it. The only way we can reduce n 1 is to reduce public expenditures and ! this ought to be done to the las' | degree if it does not endanger the | machinery of government. our na- | tional obligations and our sa1ets
 from attack by foreign foe. 1 therefore, believe that the wise course for Congress to pursue IS not to pass the bonus bill at this time. 1 T favor the legislation that is pro posed to take care in every way oi l the wounded and disabled soldiers and the widows and families of the ! dead"