The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-01-13
SOLDIER BONUS
LIKELY To COST.
s2,750,000,000
Estimate Of Minimum Made In
Connection With British
Bond Proposal.
By J. BART CAMPBELL. 5
Copyright. 1922. by International News

By J. BART CAMPBELL.
Copyright, 1922. by International News
Servioe.) ....
Not less than $2.750. 000.0 900 will
have to be provided for the SOL
diers' bonus out Of the proposed
81 600, 100000 British debt bond
issue, in the Judgment of Senator
Henry Cabot Lodge. the Republic
can leader Of the Senate. it was
disclosed today.
Majority Want Cash.
Senator Lodges estimate 10 based,
it was stated. upon the belief that
from 72 to rs per cent Of ex-service
men will require a cash bonus when
Administration leaders undertake to
carry out their present plan Of link.
ing the soldiers bonus with the Brit
ish debt.
The plan involves the open sale OF
81, 000, 000,00 worth OF British govern
ment securities, guaranteed by the
American Government, as a practical
means of meeting the grave problems
presented by the soldiers bonus and
the foreign debt, and Of providing q
sterilization of intel national economic
and financial conditions both here and
abroad, at the same time.
Other Republican leaders OF the
Senate differ with Senator Lodge, II
was explained. as to the total cost Of
the soldiers bonus II cash must be
furnished ex-service men.
Leaders Discuss Plan.
Senator Curtis Of Kansas. the Re-
publican whip" is of the opinion
that 90 per cent is a fair estimate" OF
the number of ex-service men who
would ask for cash in lieu Of the other
forms Of adjusted compensation sus-
gested. 1t was understood.
On the basis Of Senator Curtis 90
per cent estimate. practically all OF
81, 200 900 900 would be needed by the
bonus in accordance with the plan
outlined.
Senator Watson, Of Indiana, an
other Administration spokesman, was
represented as entertaining the
opinion that from So to 81 per cent Of
ex.service men would not be satisfied
with anything less than cash bonus.
Discussion of the plan was resumed
today by Administration leaders. fol-
lowing the conference they had on the
subject at the White House Saturday
night and at Senator Medill Nc
Cormick's residence Wednesday night.
The belief was expressed that the
plan would not only prove popular but
successful.
Favor New Plan.
Senators Capper of Kansas and Nc
Nary of Oregon. leaders OF the Senate
agricultural bloc" who participated
i'm the conference at Senator McCor-
mick's house, were reported to have
promised support Of the plan by the
Western agricultural interests.
Both Capper and McNary have ire
quently insisted, as have other Re-
publican leaders of the Senate, that q
cash bonus must be provided for sx-
service men II one was considered
most desirable by the ex-service men
themselves.
This view has been shared by Sen.
ator McCumber Of North Dakota, the
new chairman Of the Senate Finance
Committee, and by Senator Lodge.
The American Legion is expected to
back the plan now under considerar
ton. The legion Is on record as favor.
ing ex-service mems compensation On
the basis of ~ cash; (2) Insurance.; (3)
farm and home settlement; az land
settlement, and (8 vocational educa-
ton. A legion poll showed a prepon-
derance of sentiment among It's men,
bers in favor af cash.
President Harding Is said to regard
the new plan with favor, despite cp-
position expressed to 1t by some mem
bers of his Cabinet.