Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1921-07-22
Soldiers Bonus
SHOULD BE TAKEN FROM THE
WAR PROFITEERS
Iowa Congressman Believes Men Who
Made Immense Fortunes During
World War Should Pay Boys
Who Fought in Trenches
(By Federated Press)

Washington-Let the war prohteers
pay the ex-soldiers the bonus, or ad-
justed compensation, which President
Harding says will break the treasury.
That is the proposal Of Congress-
man Kopp of Iowa, set forth in House
Resolution 149, introduced on the day
that Mr.. Harding went before the
Senate to kill the bonus measure.
Kopp is the member of the House
who was elected on the farmer-labor
primary ticket headed by Col. Smith
Brookhart last year in the great fight
against Senator Cummins and his
railroad hackers. His resolution
reads:
Whereas, during the late war a
large number of shameless and con-
scienceless profiteers took advantage
of the American government and the
American people and plundered and
robbed them in a frightful and shock
ing manner; and
Whereas, by such plundering and
robbery more than $4,000 new mil
lionaires were created in America, an
average of one new American million
aire for every four American boys
that lost their lives in the service of
their country; and
Whereas, said profteers by their
wicked and disloyal methods, brought
about a large part of the nations
debt, which is now such a burden
upon the American people, and for
the payment of which the American
people, including the ex-service men,
are now subjected to crushing taxa
ton; and
Whereas, said profteers are now
living in unparalleled luxury, while
great numbers of the ex-service men
are in actual want and distress; and
Whereas, we paid the ex-service
men, who offered their lives for our
country, the paltry sum of a dollar
day; and
Whereas, we owe the ex-service
men a solemn debt, one that the con-
science and patriotism of the Ameri-
can people will not permit to go un-
paid; and
Whereas, the secretary of the
treasury has stated that there is now
no available income from which said
debt can be paid; and
Whereas, said profiteers should be
held up to the everlasting scon of
the American people and should be
compelled to pay said debt from their
stolen wealth; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That select committee
of seven members of the House be
appointed by the speaker to investi-
gate and procure all facts relating to
said war profteers, to secure their
names, to have said names published
in the Congressional Record, and to
devise plan whereby a bonus or ad-
justed compensation can be paid to
ClIc cA-SFIN1Cc Hl6u Nv d levy OI
special tax for that purpose upon
said profteers.
"That the secretary of the treasury
be directed to furnish to said COM
mittee the names of all individuals,
firms and corporations called for by
said committee, together with the re-
ported incomes of said individuals,
firms and corporations since the late
war began, as shown by the records
in the treasury department"
The usual powers and privileges are
provided for the committee, which is
directed to report to the House as
soon as possible.
Of course this plan will not be
adopted. Kopp's resolution merely re-
fleets the growth of revolt against
special privilege government and the
awkward confscatory methods with
which men elavated on the Republican
ticket seek to right fundamental
wrongs in an embarrassed competitive
society.