The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-01-28
BONUS GESTURE
CAUSING WORRY
By ii. w. Roberts.

the bonus, euphemisticaly termed
adjusted compensation for former
soldiers" the Republicans in con-
gress are between Svyila and Charyb-
dis, or "the devil and the deep blue
sea-"
This is an election year, and the
Republicans, if indications are at all
symptomatic, have reason to fear the
result. They are very anxious to in
dulge handsome gesture for the
delectation of the 100000 American
soldiers, and they would hastily do
so but for the fact that their conduct
would prove seriously offensive to
big business" They can not in
crease appropriations without elm
mating their claim to economic ad-
ministration, and without adding TO
the burden" of the very rich men of
he United States-many of whom,
incidentally, are alleged to have prof
iteered during the war.
If the Republicans could eat their
cake and still have it, the path ahead
| "ouio NC oihOOtH, NluSSu. lHdSInuCIl
however, as they can not play both
ends against the middle, they are
squirming in mental and moral EN-
barrassment which by all their arti-
| ice, they can not conceal.
In the midst of it al, Andrew w
Mellon, secretary of the treasury, is
proving a most embarrassing and
disconcerting factor. Mr.. Mellon is a
very rich man. He opposes the bo-
nus for the same reason which
prompts other very rich men to op-
pose it. At the same time, with the
possession of much money, he is po
litically Independent. His judgment
is not biased by argument based Oh
expediency.
Therefore, when Representative
Joseph Fordney of Michigan, chair
man of the ways and means commit
tee, conceived the idea thtat the Re
publicans could pay the bonus and
at the same time leave the treasury
intact, he called on the secretary of
the treasury to assume the role of the
Eyes" man. But the secretary replied
that an attempt to pay the bonus
with interest Ito be collected in the
indefinite future on the $11 100000
600 European indebtedness to the
United States would be both imprac
ticable and foolish.
Mr.. Mellon argued against the
payment of any bonus. Proceeding
on the theory that congress, despite
his advice, might proceed with bonus
legislation, he presented figures in
dicating that a bonus would cost the
government $3.50, OO0,OOO,O0O the first
two years of its operation.
According to Mr.. Mellon, new tax
es must be voted. 1t is a safe pre-
diction that the Republicans, even to
satisfy the soldiers, will not vote new
taxes this year. For this is an elec.
ton year. 1t is difficult to believe
that even if they retain control Of
both houses of congress, they would
be willing to jeopardize their presi-
Dental chances by offending the
money power next year, or the year
thereafter.
Democrats who are closely observ-
| ing the situation admit that great
deal depends on the. attitude or the
action of the president. Some
months ago, the senate undertook con
| sideration of bonus bill over the
protest of only those senator's who
are willing to take their political
lives in their hand to the end the pub
| lie good might be conserved. The
president appeared in person and ex-
| planning the condition of the treas
ury, protested against the bill. The
Republicans Immediately dropped it.
Secretary Mellon is authority for the
statement that there has occurred no
radical change for the better in treas
ury conditions. There is always the
chance, as result, that if Rcpubl:-
can politicians attempt again to put
over the bonus on the eve Of the con-
grcssional campaigns, the president
will again step in and smash their
idols.