New-York tribune., 1922-02-18

f"N'C'' fT' NSt tNf riOSeN session OF
the majority members this morning.
Ha declared the meeting was an "out-
rasc a. .a.asV t,.e AvAse' and that the
committee had no right to have secret
sessions"
"Republican members of the Ways
and Means Committee have not thought
it wise to call into their confidence
men to help prepare that bill who we
knew were unalterabiy' opposed TO q
bonus BILL" replied Chairman Fordncy.
The committee and other committees
have always had experts and other Off
cials before them when the majority
members were considering rates in
revenue bill. We hac before IS this
morning man CONNECTED with The
American Legion. and asked him for
expert information ano he gave it. The
Republican members o. the committee
bonus bill, and we will present it to a
conference Of Republican members of
this House within ten days.
"The Republican members Of this
House will pass a bonus BILL he con-
tlnued. THAT is what we will do. We
are ~sing every honorable effort to
prepare that bill, so that when it is
presented to the House Republican
members of the House will agree with
the committee; if not, we want the Re-
publican members to direct Republican
members Of the committee how to pre-
pare that bill and how to bring it in
mere for final action
Opposition to Sales Tax
Assuming from indications that the
committee will report to the House a
sales tax bonus bill. there Immediately
comes within the view OF the Admins
tration leaders situation of endless
angles from which it is difficult to
zee the solution.
Such action would bring the House
squarely up to the problem of whether
the country would accept the burden
of the general sales tax even as a
means of rewarding the former serv-
ce men. The speculation on the re-
suit OF vote on the tax is hinged gen
rally on the action of the Republican
caucus. which rejected the sales tax
by strong majority when the revenue
Dill was beng considered by the lower
iouse. 1t is be ieved by most members
hat the opposition is to-day as strong
IS it was a few months ago. for of the
rarous "grours" the members from
strictlc agri cultural districts. who
number about 100. the so-called labor
clement and at least half of the Demo
ratio membership would oppose the
ales tax.
Some House leaders, in discussing
he situation predict that the House
would take al the sting" out of the
sales tax and supplement- it with an
1t least partial revival of the excess
Profits tax. This course, however, Laws
he whole bonus measure open TO the
Presidential veto, and it is believed by
many who interpreted the Presidents
message as plea for postp onement Of
he whole question that he would not
hesitate to return the measure to Com
gress without his signature shou d the
excess profits tax he paced in it,
Grange Leader Denornces Plan
T. C. Atkeson, Washington repre-
sentative of the National Grange. in a
forrnal satement to-day, characterize
the now effort to graft sales tax on the
American taxation system hidden be-
hind the soldiers bonus as "indefensi-
BILE, wrong in principle, and designed to
shi t the burden Of taxation from those
most able to pay to those least able to
pay"
livery soldier will resent this tax,
even If he has the bonus money it pro-
vid s in h pocket" said DR.. Atkeson.
His resentment will increase as he
Fl ds himself paying the tax out Of his
bonus. taking money out of one pocket
70 put in the other, while he sees it
relieve TAXATION of large incomes and
iar~e inheritances. which ought to bear
The tax
Demand that no tax provision be
great development OF Industries largely
nourlshed on the cheapest food supply
n the world have become convinced
chat under conditions which have made
those great accumulations of wealth
poSslhle-and we are not in any way
attacking Accommodations of wealth.
such ac"un4ulations should beer their
fuii share of taxes. A long and hard
fought contest in Congress and the
courts has eculed these income and
lnheri'ance tax avs
Demand that no tax provision be in
cludeI in the bonus bill was made in q
vigo,,u us letter addressed to Chnirman
Fordney by the ex-soldier members Of
the House.
Soldier Members Letter
We, the undersigned Republican
members OF Congress who served in
he World War, are in favor of the
passage of the adjusted compensation
measure. but see no necessity for in
Guiding tax provision" read the let
ter. The cost of the adjusted com
pensation bill, depending on its fnal
form. will be between 5000. 900 ,O0(
ard 100000, 900 for the rst two wears
and not more than 100000 O0o0 there
after. The Dent bill, appropriatine
$4,000 600 o0c to reimburse war con
tractors, the war mineral relief bill
carrying ss0,"00000, a $4,000, 900 ap
preparation for the relief of the Ship
ping Board contractors. the railroad
bill carrying S500.000,O0O, and othe,
measures calling for many million,
have passed the House of Representa-
ives without specia. prov sion to raise
revenue. Why should the adjusted
compensation bill for the soldiers b.
\ treated differently from other bill
and from the custom and practice O
Coorresso
The Treasury Department has Is
sued annual Y since 1913 over 5illio,
in short-time certificates, which th,
banks hove aos.rHe6 prorsntv a,tc
eagerly. The Treasury Department caY
issue S30o,000000 in short-t!me GER
tlhcates, and the banks Will al
them without efecting the economi,
stability Of the country.
The reduction in the navy, on &C
count o. the naval holiday. and ths
proposed reduction in the army. will
De more than enough to provide reve
nue., without further taxation. to tsk
care Of al the provisions in the ad.
5usted compensation bill. 1t is our
nope, however, that further economies
will be practiced in the pending an.
preparation bills, which will take care