New-York tribune., 1922-02-20

Where have these people been while
the Legion was battling for them. over
coming shameful conditions and ne
glect? They certainly should be in
tcrested to know that practically every
bit of legislation in effect for the
disaoled relief was written and
pushed through by the American Lee
sion, and the Legion expects to con-
time the fight in their behalf until
they are properly taken care Of by
tho country they fought for.
"The American Legion. firmly believ-
ing that It is expressing the sentiment
Of the people Of the United States, asks
that a committed Administration allow
the passage Of what We believe to be
tho most constructive measure that can
be devised. 1t is not a question OF
tearing down the service mans self
respect, it is matter OF saving the
nation its own"
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 (By The
Associated Press. - The soldiers
bonus situation continued to-day
20 be so rcbulous that Republican
House lcaders still we're unprcpared to
venture even a guess as TO what plan OF
Snsrcing ultimately would be agreed
upon. Il was understood to be their
disposition TO let the question simmer
awhile longer in the hope that senti-
mert would so shane itself as to facili-
tate the task Of those who will frame
the measure.
7. developed to-day that beneath the
surface of the storm which has ragged
around President Barding's suggestion
.hat the bonus he financed by a sales
TAX there has been lot Of quiet talk
IN support Of the proposal advanced
~ some leaders last week that the
e'slation DC made u general charge
against the Treasury with expected
savings through cuts IN regular appro-
praton bills relied upon for the tnanc-
ing o. portion of the initial cost.
General Charge Once Favored
When first suggested by Representa-
tive Mondell, Of Wyoming, the ma
jorIty house leader, this proposal
seemed to meet with considerable favor
among the rank and file in the House
out the idea became all but submerged
ny the wave OF talk that swept through
cioakrooms and corridors after the
Presidents letter to Chairman Fordney
OF the Ways and Means Committee mad
reached the Capitol.
Irrespective Of the bonus. there ap-
qarontly was 4 determination in the
House TO reduce sharply the estimates
for both the Navy and the Army and
POSSIBLY cut $4,000 900 out Of
tho supply bills for those de-
Hartmcnts alone. Such a sum. it was
said. would 90 long way toward meet
Ing the first years cost Of the cash
payments to the former service mel.
Views of the majority members Of
the WAYS and Means Committee on TINS
plan have not yet been developed pub
licly These members will NEE to-
morrow to 90 into the whole bonus
question, but an immediate decision as
70 how the bonus viii be financed is
not expected.
Proponents Of q sales tax. however
sro understood to be prepared to force
tNelr fight in the committee at the
earliest opportunity.
Some opponents of the sales levy
concode that there are sufficient votes
among the majority members o. the
committee to report out such TAX,
but declare tho question Of cNpediency
ruat enter into the final decision.
Re hrst consideration, they said, is
nc probable effect Of such 3 tax on
,he minds Of the people generally, and
mo second the known erect that VIII
&c produced among Republican mem
ocrs Of the House.
say Democrats viii Fight Sales Tax
II such 4 tan is proposed to a party
conference, the opponents assert that
hey viii renew the fight which was
aged successfully in similar CON
ference in 1920. when the first bonus
Bin was presented with q sales tax
ttached. Failing to win IN the eau
cus. they declare their fight would
oc carried to the floor Of the House,
WITH the expectation Of almost solid
,upport from the Democrats.
It is understood to be the hopes Of
oaders Of the agricultural bloc that
lie committee will report out bill
without any specific provision for
raising the funds, az the Senate Finance
Committee did last year President
Harding has said that he could not
COX with favor on a measure that
5id not carry ways Of financing it. but
t was understood to be the thought
Of some Of the supporters Of such
oiil that with q large sum made avail
ahie through reductions in the esti
mated cost Of conducting the regular
government establishment situation
would be created winch would remove
rYecutive objection.