Arizona republican., 1922-05-30
COMM|T TEE MAY
APPROVE BONUS
BILL TOMORROW

WASHINGTON, May 2e--Approval
by the senate finance committee on
Wednesday of a soldiers bonus bill,
following closely along the lines OF
the house measure with its bank loan
proyision, was predicted today by
members of that committee, Repub-
Iicans and Democrats, after the sub
iect had been discussed for nearly
two hours.
An informal canvass of the commit
tee today indicated that the members
were divided to s, for the house
measure with some notifications
the socalled McCumber plan. Five
members, all Republicans, We're re-
ported to favor the Smoot proposition
of life insurance for the veterans in
lien of all other forms of compensa-
tin. while one committeeman, Senator
williams, Democrat, Mississippi. was
supposed to be opposed to any bonus
legislation.
Whether a land reclamation pro-
viior1 is to be instituted in the NC
Cumber plan is an open question ana
consequently 1t may be some time
before a bonus bill is reported to the
senate. Chairman McCumber is
anxious, however, that the bill be re-
ported out in the immediate future
and he expects to press for action as
speedily as is possible.
After reaching the senate. the bill,
in the usual course. would go to the
senate calendar to remain until called
up by Senator McCumber. There is
a difference of opinion among Repub-
lican leaders as to whether the bonus
should Gisplace the tariff bill at any
time soon. so the probable time at
which the senate bill will get into the
bonus fight is indefinite.
Senator McCumber is of the opinion
that the senate can dispose of the
measure with few days of considera-
tionsbut this view is not shared by all
leaders.
Opponents of a bonus in any form
as well as opponents of the amended
house bill are prepared for a long
discussion on the question.
Both the McCumber and Smoot
plans have been outlined in some de-
tail to President Harding with a view
of obtaining an expression of opinion
from hirr. but the committee went
ahead today with their consideration
without having received any word
from the executive. Proponents OF
the McCumber proposition believe
that he will approve that form OF
bonds il passed by congress. but pub
Icly2 at least, the president has given
no Indication of a change of MIND
since he told the house ways and
means committee to finance the bonus
with a sales tax or postpone enact
ment of the legislation.
Aside from provision to pay cash
to Veterans whose compensation
would not exceed $50. the McCumber
plan would provide for adjusted SER
vice. certificates on which banks
would be authorized to loan funds
during the first three years and the
treasury thereafter during the ~
wears of the life Of the certificates.
The certificates would have a race
value equal to about three times the
amoItnt of the veterans adjusted
service credit at the rate OF 81 day
for domestic service and S1.25 DAY
for foreign service and the total would
he uayable at the end of 20 years or
sooner upon the death of the holder.
There also would be provisions Tor
vocational training and home and
farm aid. These features are almost
identical with those in the house Dill
but the land settlement or reclama-
ton feature in the house measure
has been eliminated. There is move
ment in both the senate and house
to have some kind of reclamation
provfsion put back into the bill and a
specfal SUBJ committee of Republican
members of the finance committee
operled hearings today on that ques-.
tion.f Representative Mondell OF
wyoming. the Republican house lead
er. urged that some sort of reelama :
ton Legislation be incorporated while
REPRESENTATIVE White. of Kansas. a
member of the house public lands
committee opposed such step. SEN
atorz McNary. Republican. Oregon.
one of the authors of the Smith Nc
Nary reclamation measure told the
sub committee that If it should be
decided to restore the reclamation
feature he desired to be heard as to
the form the legislation should take.