Evening star., 1922-02-22
Bonus OPPOSITION
BY c. 0. Pts URGED
National Republican CIuk
Committee Submits ResoIu-
tion for Adoption.

NEW YORK, February 22-opposi-
ton by the National Republican Club
to the granting Of a federal bonus Ito
or who was not disabled in the service" "
was recommended in a resolution sub
mitted for adoption by the clubs COM
mittee at the regular monthly meeting
last night.
The report declared that "as party
politics" the proposed bonus Legislation
spells suicide" while las public policy
1t is Madness"
At the same time the committee re-
ported favorably a resolution calling for
congressional inquiry into expendi-
lures OF sums already appropriated for
the aid of disabled veterans. Ito the
end that the country may be assured
tnat the veterans are receiving the full
est possible benefit from the appropri-
ations made in their behalf"
Not a Question of Care.
The report declared the question of
care of disabled or INDECENT soldiers was
not involved, going into detail into a
description Of the hospitals and soldiers
homes maintained by the. government
for itS incapacitated fighters, and citing
the government already is spending
| nearly $450.0OO.0O0 a year for relief to
disabled veterans
There is. therefore," it continued.
involved in the proposed soldiers
bonus no question of the nation full
hlling its obligations to its disabled
veterans. That obligation is. as the
Secretary of the Treasury has pointed
OUT t,~contfnutng and paramount, and
the expenditures therefor will be
very heavy for years to come.
Appraises Patriotic Service.
"A federal soldiers bonus. on the
other hand, is an attempt to appraise
patriotic service in terms of dollars
and cents. with the certain result of
nation by distributing hundreds of
millions, even thousands of millions
Of dollars, as gratuity.
IF the money were at hand with
which to make this distribution. the
proposal would be highly objection
when. however. the money for
such purpose must be raised by i'm
posing new taxes. at a time when the
business, the labor and the agricul-
ture of the country are staggering un-
der their tax burdens: 1t is unthink.
might weu result in increase of un-
employment, in still greater depres-
sion Of agriculture and in indefinitely
postponing the revival of business.
while the great army OF taxpayers are
compelled to provide the huge sums
purpose.
Should Take Ground.
"The committee believes that the
National Republican Club should take
the strongest possible ground on this
subject, and should make an appear
to republican members OF Congress
not to be misled by the clamor Of m
dividuals and organizations when
may have a personal interest In the
proposed action, but to view this
question in the light of the financial
and economic conditions that have
been pointed out by the Secretary OF
the Treasury and act solely from the
viewpoint of the highest public IN
terest.
Clear Statement Asked.
Moreover, republican members OF
fore the enrolled voters of the coun.
try a clear and simple statement OF
what this adjusted compensation or
soldiers bonus would mean to our
public finances and to the burdens
which the taxpayer must bear. In the
then ascertain exactly how great is
the demand for this action on the
part of republican voters, and how
far it comes from those not in SYM
pathy with the republican party, VINO
would be only too glad to have that
party assume responsibility for in
creased taxation and prolonged busi-
ness depression"
The report was signed by Nicholas
Murray Butler, chairman; James
Bache James G. Blaine, jr.: Cornelius
N. Bliss, jr.: Thomas c. Desmond,
frank e. Ewing, William W. Hoppin,
Joseph Levenson, Samuel McCune
Lindsay, Stuart Mcnamara. Newbold
Morris, j. Van Vechten O1cott, Henry
w, Taft and Peter fucker.