Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-05-16
HARDING GETS
DATA ON BONUS
CONTINUED From First Page

Continued From First Page.)
mate aggregate cost to the countr!
OF ss.soo, 900. 900 exclusive of inter
est and administrative charges.
The project outlined to the Presi
dent by Senator smoot is for psiC
up insurance policy without borrow
ing value at a cost of $4,000. 10000
minus the ordinary administrative
charges. No provision is contained
In either the McCumber or Smoo'
propositions for raising the revenues
necessary to finance them.
Such revenues would OF course
have to be raised through some form
OF taxation that would fall upon the
shoulders OF the people. The Presi-
dent has repeatedly expressed the
opinion that no bonus legislation
should be passed unless Congress
proposed an acceptable way for rails
ing he money to pay the bill with
cut imposing additional and unrea-
sonable burdens in the way OF taxa
ton.
His objection to the modified
House bill proposed by Chairman
McCumber candidate for re-elec-
tom Is recognized as the most seri-
Gus obstacle to its acceptance by the
executive branch OF the Government
There would be the greatest sur
prise. therefore, II the President
should make known his willingness
to sign either the McCumber or
Smoot bill, now before him.
Would Approve Sales Tax
The Presidents attitude toward the
bill submitted by the Utah Senator
for cash bonus 10 ex-service men
framed with the sales tax Is known
TO every member of Congress. There
Is not the slightest question in their
minds that IL Senators and Repre-
sem tives rejecting the opinions OF
the agricultural section Of he coun-
try would accept the sales tax to
finance the bonus bill it would re-
cive the approval OF the President.
The attitude Of the spokesman OF
the agricultural elements in the
country. however. Is bitterly hostile
TO such a plan. The leaders Of both
houses have informed the President
tina. in the present state of the agri- !
cultural mind a sales tax project for
any purpose would. be bitterly OPP
posed.
With these clearly understood fea- |
lures Of the bonus situation indelibly |
Impressed on them both proponents |
and opponents OF the bonus raid ex- /
pect the President will turn his /
thumbs down on the remaining pro-
posals placed before him by the two-
groups of bonus advocates divided |
over the best method of financing |
the enterprise.
The most active supporters OF the /,
bonus in the Senate admit the proba- |
bility of an adverse decision regard /
ing the McCumber and Smoot insur-
ance projects. They further confess
their inability to forecast with any
degree of accuracy the next move to
loot the Treasury for benefit Of a
minority Of able-bodled, ex-service
men. clamoring for cash gratuities
for patriotic services.
A few Of them cling to the forlorn
hope that the President may have a
fieart and agree to accept the Nc
Cumber or Smoot plan in order to
save them for the political wrath OF /
tho American Legion and other bonus 1
claimants. The fact that the Presi-
dent did not announce his decision
regarding the McCumber and Smoot
schemes last week, as he intimated
he would do, has encouraged the be-
lief among some bonus supporters |
hat he has not entirely closed the
ioor against them.
These men are inclined TO attach
Inwarranted Importance TO the re-
ults of the contest in Pennsylva-
ia between Senator George Whar- S
on Pepper and his opponent, Rep
sentative Burke, for the unex- 1
ired Penrose term in the Senate. n
he bonus is an issue between Seator Y
epper and Representative Burke. I
he American Legion is exerting all s
he pressure Il can command to de-
at Mr.. Pepper for denomination =
scause of his courageous opposi- =
on TO the bonus. Mr.. Burke voted
II it in the House and has prom "
ed Pennsylvania voters that he will g,
Ipport it If he should be nominated =,
The theory on which bonus advo- :,
ties base their belief that the Presi- :,
mt may finally approve of =.
heme that will win the political
pport of the American Legion is =
at he may be influenced by the re-
Its OF the Pennsylvania primaries.
n more than one occasion the
resident has impressed on the
inds of Senators and Representa-
YES who have urged him to con-
mt 10 the bonus raid that he can
o. be induced to change his mind
y momentary shifting conditions Of =
political character.
lDespite this resolute position some
y the bonus raiders assert that the
isieat Of Mr.. Pepper in the Penn
iyivania primaries (Which is highly
mprobable) may modify the PresI-
ient's position on the subject. OF
course there is not the slightest
basis Of substantial character for
his skepticism regarding the Presi-
ient's positive declarations to the
contrary.
studies Both Proposals.
II is significant that both promo
tents and opponents OF the bonus
aid agree that the stand which the
President will take will conclusivelv
ettle the dispute over the matter.
Following his interview with Sena-
or ,rnooc the President engrossea
l,'-seir IN studying the features of
9th the Smoot and McCumber
themes.
No announcement was made at the
White House as to the manner in
hich the President will communi-
tie HIS views on the bonus legisla-
on to Chairman McCumber. He
ay send a written communication