The New York herald., 1922-02-17
JUDGE HEISLEY FOE
OF FEDERAL BONUS
Declares Rank and File of
Army Are Opposed to
Direct Relief.
SPELLS PARTY DISASTER
East Orange Jurist Warns of
Plunging Country in Hope
less Debt.
SPELLS PARTY DISASTER

Strong opposition to bonus legislation
was expressed yesterday by Wilbur a.
Heisley. president of the Republican
of the Circuit Court of New Jersey.
Mr. Heisley in condemning the bonus
because of its effect on the country
emphasized the fact he opposed it as
Republican as we'll as citizen He saw
in the passage of such legislation a
blow at the strength of his party in the
State.
Personally I prefer good Demo-
crat with the courage of his convictions
to a so-called Republican with neither
convictions nor courage" he said. land
i believe there are lot Of u.s."
Although Judge Heisley said he spoke
for himself alone. and not for the 500
members of the Republican Club. which
includes such influential and prominent
men as Senator Frelinghuysen, he said
also that in his conversations with his
friends he had found few Republicans
or Democrats who favor the bonus.
1--WE already have voted $l2.OOO.0OO in
this State for a bonus for ex-service
men, and are bonding the State for
s40OO0,000 for good roads, he said.
"This Federal bonus plan added to the
dissatisfaction which had already arisen
in populous sections against our party
on account of the attempted drastic en-
forcement Of prohibition laws does not
enhance the prospects for victory OF
our party this fall.
VIII Denounce Authors.
Few men will take the time at pres
ent to denounce the bonus; but they
will spare no time later on when its
effects are felt to denounce those who
authorized it,"
Judge Heisley said the bonus must
be intended for one or both of two pur-
poses--to compensate a financial loss or
to pay for services rendered.
'If it is intended for the former then
why not in fairness compensate every
one who has sustained such loss
whether caused by the draft or loss of
business, depreciation in values, or what
not. Why pick out few of the more
vociferous
"If it is to pay for services then let
history record the year 1922 rs the first
time when our men demanded pay for
defending our shores. As Senator Borah
asks, Are We Hessians?' fully believe
the rank and file of our army are pa
triotic red blooded Americans. but they
are put in a false light by a lot of
money grabbers. You can't. buy or sell
patriotism any more than you can buy
or sell character
Mr.. Heisley expressed surprise at the
fact that sl70, 900. 900 is spent yearly for
pensions of civil war veterans and
their dependents ffty-six years after
the war and suggested that it might be
well to look over the list.
What will it be fifty-six years after
the present time IL we pension the vet
erars of this war2" he asked. and added
thht the bonus would open the way for
other similar legislation.
This tax will go to many men who
don't need the money. and It will be
paid by many people who really can't
afford to pay IT," he said. "The amount
received by each veteran is too trivial
to do him any good. but the aggregate
constitutes an immense burden on the
nation. believe it is going materially
to keep prices high and taxes heavy,
and continue the present depression.
The injury these things will do to these
same veterans we are attempting to helm
will be much greater than any possible
benefit"
Party Defeat Seen.
In Speaking of the effect on Republi-
can legislators favoring It Judge Heis-