Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-09-20
House Will Override Mea-
sure Today 1t Is
Said
SENDS MESSAGE
Objection is That Country Cannot
Stand EXpense-Senate Will Pro-
badly Vote TomOrrOw-MacNider
Takes Issue on Subject.
CBy United Press.)

(By United Press.)
Washington, Sept. 20.-The House
today took up President Harding's
veto of the soldier bonus bill Before
night, leaders expected to get vote
overriding the veto.
The house vote was a mere formal
ity, as it was a foregone conclusion
that more than the necessary two
thirds would vote to make the bonus
law in spite Of Mr.. Harding's en-
phatical objections to it.
Interest in the bonus fight cent
cred, therefore, in the senate, where
Doth sides today claimed the votes.
1t was apparent that in that body
the veto would be sustained or over
riden by scant margin. The advan
tage today appeared to rest with Mr.,
Harding and the anti-bonus senators,
The senate probably will take up
the veto tomorrow.
The presidents vigorous message,
delivered late yesterday TO the house
was counted on by anti-bonusers to
give some senators who have already
voted for the bonus an "alibi" for
changing their positions now. The
clear picture Mr.. Harding painted of
the financial disaster the bonus would
bring about if insisted on at this time
was expected to be used by number
of senators in explaining to consti-
tuents why they changed front.
In his message-by far the most
pointed and vigorous he has delivered
since entering the white house-Mr.
~ n rdino told ConUrpSS.
That he could not approve the bonus
bib because II faiied to provide means
for raising revenue to pay the ST.
100000 bonus.
That, while the American people
will never cease to be grateful to
those who served in the war, they are
not under a monetary obligation to
those who came through the war un-
scathed, and who, while they were
in the service, did not expect bonus.
That the bonus bill puts patriotism
on a cash basis, and that in so doing,
it IS inadequate and stingy, and
Furthermore suggests that in the fu-
ture, men will join he army for
money, and not because of duty to
flag and country
That the certificate plan of defer
red payments provided by the bill is
certified inability of the government
to pay, a perversion Of the public
credit, and economically unsound, in
that no provision is made to meet the
eventual liability,
That the bonus sets precedent
by opening the treasury doors, to
the tune of one-sixth of the whole
public debt, for the benefit of 5,000,-
600 out of a population of 10000
000 and thus invites future raids by
any class or group numerous enough
to make their demand politically ap-
pealing.
Mr.. Harding said he was sorry to
have to deny the veterans the pitt
ably small compensation allowed, but
he appeaed to them, to congress and
the country, to see that bonus bill
now would overburden the taxpayers,
destroy hopes of governmental econ
omy. interfere seriously with the
paymenc of $4,000, 100000 of public
debt maturing within the next SIX
year. and prevent the return to stable
government financing.
To the injured, disabled and dis
eaSed. he said, ,he country owes an
undeniable obligation, which It IS
paying and will pay with uhstinted
generosity.
Hanford MacNider, commander of
the American Legion, in a signed
statement, took issue with Mr.. Hard
ing on the veto.
THE Legion fees this to be a just
obligations" said MacNider. The of
fering of a mans life and his services
with the colors at least should receive
consideration with the services of
contractors, manufacturers, railroads
and shipping interests. These obliga-
tionS have been or are being paid
and they are undoubtedly proper
debts, but the obligation TO the vet
eran still remains and will remain
until some adjustment is made.
president Harding opposes its en-
actment into law. Apparently agree
ing with the principle, he is unwill-
ing that the handicap Of those who
offered their lives and brought safe
ty to the nation shah be adjusted" "
declared MacNider.
He urged Congress to override the
veto because III is our firm belief
that the economic rehabilitation of
the veterans is so necessary to the
welfare of the country that imme-
diate passage of the bill should not
be delayed"
Energy, contained in a pound of
dynamite, if it could be released grad
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