The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-01-19
THINKS BONUS
NOW In SIGHT


ence to press the allied debt refund
ing bill and soldiers bonus bill.
There were disagreements as to de-
tails Of the two measures and the con-
ference adjourned until tomorrow to
continue the discussion.
The vote to press the refunding bill
was unanimous, but the conference
divided on the bonus measure, unoffi-
cial reports giving the result as 81
for and two against, with some oppo-
nents either absent or withholding
their votes. Republican leaders said,
however, that the size of the majority
insured passage of bonus bill at this
session.
While there was no division on the
allied debt bill, it developed that the
measure as reported by the finance
committee met with some objection,
inquiry being made especially as to
the reason for the elimination of the
provision requiring semi-annual pay
ment of interest on the refunded
bonds of the debtor nations. 1t was
understood that Senator Borah of
Idaho and some other Republicans
were ready to join with Democratic
senator's in demanding that this pro-
vision be retained in the measure.
Official spokesmen for the confer
ence took pains to make it clear that
the majority of senators had declared
for a bonus bill and not the particular
bill which was referred back to the
senate finance committee last July on
the recommendation of the president.
Some leaders said, however, that the
measure to be reported to the senate
undoubtedly would be similar to that
one insofar as payment of adjusted
compensation was concerned.
Most of the discussion of the bonus
centered around the means of pro-
viding the necessary funds. Some
senator's favored a measure carrying
merely an obligation against the gov
ernment with payments to be made
out of current receipts as money was
available for the purpose, but it was
said that the preponderance of senti-
ment was for specific provision that
the financing be done with funds de-
rived from the sale of refunded Brit
ish bonds in the United States.
sales tax or some other special form
of taxation, proponents of the sales
tax arguing that some such plan would
be necessary to bridge the gap be-
tween the time of the passage of the
bonus legislation and the time tha
funds from the sale of the refunded
British bonds would become avail
able. They were understood to have
argued that the money from the bonds
might not be available for severa
months or a year after the bonus bill
was passed as the refunding negotia-
tions might consume considerable
time and some time might be neces-
sary for the sale of the bonds.
A general speeding up of the work
of the senate also was said to have
been brought up with suggestions for
day and night sessions of the finance
committee.
Aside from the allied debt refund
ing bill and the bonus measure, the
senate will have before it the four
power treaty, the tariff bill and all
of the annual supply measures as well
as other important matters. With a
congressional election next November
and warm campaign in prospect
from the beginning Of early summer,
many members of congress wish to
get away from Washington around
June /. To get through the work be-
fore it by that time, the senate, SEN
ators declared, must drive ahead with
full steam from this time on.