The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-24

Ing bill before Congress. It effects every soldier In every city or ham, let who fought Germany, or who, in the second line trenches, was pro- pared to fight. Likewise, 1t effects every home in the United States. For to perform in accordance with the terms of the bill, every home must contract its budget. and otherwise restrict It's economic operations.
 The opening guns have been fired. Business opposes bonus legislation, and has expressed itself vigorously through the chamber of commerce of the United States The American Legion, with equal vigor. has re- piled.
 The "CarefuI, Side
 The conservative element in Con- gross, it begins to appear does not subscribe to the propagandists' preachment that the United States has neglected its fighting men. It has cared for its wounded It's dead are enshrined in the heart of the country just as Washington Is en. shrined. I.s able bodied survivors stu flourish in the adulation of a grateful people.
 It Is the argument of this element that the cash payment will be so small when applied to each individual that only in rare instances could il serve pressing requirement, or pro- duce a permanent betterment. l; would put several hundred dollars in the pocket of each man, and would license a period of likeness or joliifi- cation, It would have an actual dele terious effect. it is argued, on the colored fighting man who in great numbers contributed 10 the quotas 0. southern states. The average negro has never had as much as $500 in cash How he would spend his bonus and what his mental condition would be following it's liquidation are mat ters which give Congress pause.
 The Soldiers Case
 Of course. there is the other side of the argument. The soldier did the fighting when the nation was en- dangered. He had no opportunity to participate in the era of plenty, or to join the thousands of profiteers who ruthlessly took advantage of a terrible situation to enrich them selves in positions of safety.
 Those who hold such views contend that the people who did no fighting should be willing to contribute a req sonable mite to the happiness of the men who did the fighting, even 1t in course of such contribution, they must suffer the consequences of en- forced self denial.
 There is the political effect which must be considered. If the bonus is voted, the burden on the people will be increased, and the republican part. will have been convicted of having failed to reduce taxation in accord ance with their promises. They have nothing to lose. however, for whether the bonus is voted or not, they will not be able to reduce taxation The, may find the bonus a comfortabl, convenience in offering causes foi their fiscal failure.
 Must He Faced
 Of course, the bonus bill is not tn. law. No time has been set for it. consideration. 1t is not believed tha Senator Penrose is ardent in hi: epousal of the bill. It is hinted tha he is again spoofing, and that tn, pill VIII die for want of attention A any rate, it will not be considered prior to the tariff bill, and the va rious methods for the readjustmen or the shifting of the burden of taxa ton.
 But the bonus is a mater that ma, be postponed. but not eliminated. I must be faced. And the man who put! It across or defeats 1t, will be fac, to face with what may mean a per sonal Waterloo at the hands of hi people.
 It Is one of the matters whicl makes the life of a congressman ; nightmare. And already the member are troubled in their sleep.