New-York tribune., 1922-01-05

Soldier Bonus
Bill Offered
Senator Simpson Introduces
Measure at Albany for
Change in Constitution
Permitting Bond Issue
Miller's View UNCHANGED
Opposed to Any Payment
From Current Revenues:
Bitter Battle Forecast

ALBANY, Jan. 4.-Bi]ls dcal;nr
win the soldier bonus, labor matters
ana housing questions were introduced
III the Senate day and referred to
committees. Measures brought before
'he Assembly were dropped in the bill
oox and Wiz not be given reading
until Monday evening. 1t is expected
that next week will see the introduo~
tlon OF several proposals carving out
recommendations made by Governor
Miller, including the concurrent rcso-
luton which would amend the state
constitution to give the Legislature
the right to consolidate certain state
departments and resolution empow-
ef'nS the Davenport committee to in
Vcstigatc the excessive cost of local
governments.
Senator William 7. Simpson, OF
Brooklyn, Republican, introduced a
proposal which would add new section
to Article of the state constitution
empowering the Legislature to issue
bonds not TO exceed $45, 900 900 for the
payment of bonuses to World War vet
Grams who arc residents of this state.
Opening Gun in Fight
The Introduction Of this bill was the
opening shot in wha: is cxnccted to
be bitter blttln over soldier bonus
legislation. Or this tho Legislature is
dlvdeds into two camps One agrees
with Governor Miller that the bonus
money should be obtained only through
the issuance of bonds and that IA con-
Stltutional amendment is necessary to
accomplish it. The other group would
nave the state appropriate the money
out OF current funds for an immediate
Payment. Senator Simpson is a World
War veteran and a member Of the
American Legion.
Governor Miller said to-day that he
had not changed his stand on the bonus
question.
My position is clear" he added. 81
have said that would favor con-
stitutional amendment do not know
'hat tho American Legion is par
tlcularly keen about that They have
not indicated to nc that they arc.
There arc two possible ways for get
tinG the bonus moneV-onc, constitu~
tlonal amendments; the other, direct
payment Of the bonus out Of The state
treasury. I'm respect to the latter,
have said that The present condition Of
the state treasury makes it inadmissi-
bic. There still is the question Of what
the state may do to supplement- Fed
cYal aid
Depends on United States Action
81 have just received report from
tho War Department showing that the
number of claims Of disabled men has
been reduced to $4,000 in the whole
country, Of which not more than a
York; that at the present rate these
claims will all be disposed Of within
the next thirty to sixty days at the
outside, SO that there now will be no
great delay in the disposition Of the
claims by the Federal government.
Whether shall send special mos
sage to the Legislature depends very
much upon facts as they may be
brought TO my attention as to tho
need Of the state doing anything to
supplement what the Federal govern
ment is doing for those who arc in
distress.'
Among other measures introduced to-
day were the Boylan bill abolishing
capital punishment. This plant blooms
annually just about this time each
session. Other bills introduced by Sen
ator Roylsn would create tho position
of counsel to the State Labor Commits
sion at $1,000 a year; give the State
lndustria Board and the State Labor
Commission the power to appoint ref
crecs and increase tho number Of state
factory inspectors from $50 to 325
The bills carry out part of the legis~
latvc program formulated by the State
Federation Of Labor. Senator James
]. Walker introduced bills to repeal
the act of last year establishing Of
fetal nominating conventions for state
and judicial officers and providing for