The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-07-13
Harding Appeal for
Delay on Soldiers Bonus

and triumphs. Congress has appropriated
S65.0000 900 for this noble work for the
current year. but the estimated accep-
lance of training for the year before us
computes an average of $4,000 disabled
men and the cost win be i'm excess of
$164, 100000 or nearly a hundred million
more than congress has provided. This
additional sum must be made available.
With the increase of availability to train
ing. as recently urged upon congress. the
estimated additional expense will be
S465, 100000 per annum. until the pledge
of training is discharged.
These figures suggest neither neglect
nor ingratitude. 1t is more than the en-
tire annual cost of federal government for
many years following the Civil war, and
challenges every charge of failure to deal
considerably with our nations defenders.
| don't recite the figures ts suggest that
it is all we may do, or ultimately ought
to do. 1t is Inevitable that our obligations
will grow and grow enormously. We
never have neglected and never will neg
lect the dependents of the soldiers.
Unemployed VS.. Soldiers.
Our greatest necessity is a return to
the normal ways of peace activities
modest offering TO the millions of service
men is a poor palliative to more millions
who may be out of employment. Stabil-
lied finance and well-established conf
dence are both essential to restore indus
try and commerce.
Wars Aftermath.
The slump which is now upon us is |
an inevitable part of wars aftermath. 1t
has followed in the wake of war since the |
world began. There was the unavoid |
able readjustment, the inevitable charge |
off, the unfailing attendance of losses IN |
the wake of high prices, the memorable de- |
tlatiOn which had preceded Ii has been |
wholly proper to seek to apply government |
relief to minimize the hardships. and the |
government had aided wherever possible. |
and is aiding now, but all the special acts |
ever dreamed of, all the particular favors
ever conceived will not avoid all the dis
treSses nor ward off all the losses.
Taxation and Expenditure
The proper mental state of our people
will commit US resOlutely and confidently |
to our tasks, and definite assurances as
to taxation and expenditure will contrib
ate to 1t. The only sure way to normalcy
IS over the paths nature has marked
throughout all human experiences.
With the approval of congress the
executive branches of government has
leen driving toward that decreased ex-
)enditures which is the most practical as
'Urance of diminished taxation. With
economic measures in view. your admin
strative governments are making not only
conscientious effort to reduce the call for
appropriations, but to reduce the cost of
government far below the appropriations
GU have already provided.
'Ost of Government.
War is not wholly responsible for
taggering costs: it has merely accent
lated the menace which lies in mounting
oStS of government and excuses in ex-
'enditureS which private business would
lot tolerate.
Il can make you no definite promise in
cures today, but | can pledge YOU a most
onSclentlous drive to reduce government |
OStS by many millions.
1T would be most discOuraging to those
Tho are bending their energies to save mil
onS to have congress add billions To our | |
urdens at the very beginning.
Even We're there not the threatening
analysis of our treasury. with its fatal
etieXeS on all our activities which con- i
o await the settlement of our foreign L
oans? At such time it would be a
eStOwal on the part of our government !
hen it is able to bcstow
The United States participates in
one OF the distributable rewards of war
mt the world owes us heavily. and will
ay when restoration is wrought. If the
eStoration fails world bankruptcy at
ends. l believe the world restoration is ]
oSSlbie, but only with honest diligeut
'Ork in productivity
Mindful of these things, the admin I
'tratiEe branch of the government has L
OF only spoken, it has acted and has ac- 1
emphasized.
government Liability.
contemplating the tremendous liabii
y. which the government will never
lirk, | would be remiss in my duty if |
liled to ask congress TO helm Mt this mar
cular time rather than break down n,tr ! 4
'easury from which so much is later on y
} be expected. The defenders of the re
ublic amid the perils of war would be IS
ne last of our citizenship to wish its sta h
,lty menaced by an individual pittance Il
II know the feelings of my own breast a
ad that ot yours and the grateful people =
this republic. But no Thought for fbe &
resent, possessed with all the facts. is &
.ady for added cnmnansatinn G. IL u