Evening star., 1921-06-19
u. S. Chamber of Commerce
Opens a Campaign to-,
Develop Opposition,
FAVORS OTHER AID PLANS,
Statement ANNOUNCES
Points to Financial Condition OF
Country as Argument Against
Cash Proposal-Cites Figures.

Nationwide opposition of business
to the proposed cash bonus for ex-
service men is the goal of the United
States Chamber of Commerce, which
announced the opening of a campaign
last night to develop it. At the same
time the national chamber, in
statement. announced it favored
other forms of aid. being particu-
larly insistent on the physical and
and disabled.
On the cash bonus question the
statement says that the chamber
both doubts the value of it to the
soldier and seriously questions its
cost, but does not believe it will be
of lasting benefit. 1t points to the
financial condition of the country as
an argument against the cash plan
and says that it will be duplication
of what the states are doing and at
tempting to DO in many cases.
Copy sent to President.
copies of the brief outlining the
stand OF the chamber and its purpose
to develop the campaign against the
cash bonus have BEEN delivered to
President Harding. members Of the
cabinet, members of Congress and
1.40O trade and commercial organi-
cations.
The war, the statement says. has
laid a mortgage approximatins $685.
o06 900 on every congressional dis
trict of the country. or an amount
approximating $1.135 on every family
in the United States.
For justification Of its attitude on
the bonus question the chamber
points to action of the membership
as expressed at it's last two annual
mestinga It favors e constructive
measures to enable ex-service men
cultivate the soih 70 build homes
and to obtain. vocational training.
S1.seo,ooaees Asthori.ea.
1t is pointed out In the brief that
the government has already au-
thorized expenditures for soldier re-
lief to the am0unt of about $780,
900 900. To this Is added $soo,ooo.o0o
war risk insurance liability, as esti-
mated by the director Of the bureau
of war risk insurance on a basis OF
liability on insurance in excess OF
premiums received.
."rhe chamber recognises" the state
nent ays further, the consequences
following the payment of bonus ex-
ceeding $1,000. 100000. in addition to
the enormous sums already spent and
schedules to be spent.
The position taken by the national
chamber is consistently in favor OF
rsose forms Of aid which are clearly
Of most lasting benefit to veterans OF
the world war" says the brief. 1t
believes without question that those
physically or mentally injured have
the first and greatest claim on avail
able funds. Only when adequate pro-
vision has been made for the case of
these men should others be consid-
cred, and then the forms Of aid which
clearly tend to upbuild and establish
the veteran as aself-supporting men,
Der of the community have q decided
preference over payments in cash or
equivalent, the results of which upon
the Individual in his attainment of
thrift, economy and self-reliance are
doubtful.
Deficits serious Obstacle.
"The continual excess of government
expenditures over revenue represented
by budget deficits is a serious obstacle
to economic rehabilitation. and our
financial obligations are such that we
must face the necessity of conserving
our resources and lessening our burden
Of taxation.
This country. unlike our allies, has
been able to date to meet every finan-
cial obligation to pay all interest when
due, and the maintenance of this policy
is of supreme Importance.
generous as our country wants to
be in it's treatment of our veterans we
must face the facts"
Some of the ablest arguments that
have been advanced in favor of and
against the cash bonus and what the
states have done for ex-service men
are contained in the brief.
every state in the Union. save SIX
according to the brief has taken
action on legislation beneficial to
veterans These benefits range from
the establishment of soldier settle
ment boards to state loans for educa-
ton purposes. free scholarships In
state normal schools. colleges and uni
versities; loans for retaining land
and providing rural homes;' aid in the
purchase of farm machinery and live
stock. in securing a business or trade
apprenticeship. including tools; up to
loans amounting to as much as 10000
1T must be remembered that pro-
posed national cash bnnus would
duplicate. in greater or less extent.
the bonus already voted by, various
individual states. -.
states Offer Bonuses.
"The following represents the most
authentic information regarding the
amounts involved in state bonuses
passed up to May, 1921:
MAINE. 100000; Massachusetts,.
so,oOO.000; Minnesota, $4,000. 600;
New Hampshire. 100000; Michfgan.
no estimate; New Jersey. 81. .o0o.e 800;
New York. $45.oo0.ooo North Dakota,
no estimate; Rhode Island. I2.500, ,4e0;
Continued ON Page 2. cOyatnn a1,-
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