The New York herald., 1922-02-03

Special Dispatch TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. |
New York Herald Bureau
Washington. ID. c.. Feb. 2.
Members in Congress who have been
influenced by organized propaganda in
favor of a bonus for ex-service men
arc amazed at the volume Of protests
and the force Of the arguments daily
raised against it.
The clamor raised by the minority
of the men who served in the world
war in favor of bonus has provoked
a perfect avalanche Of protests from
men who made equal sacrifices. Their
remonstrances are supplemented byl
warnings from citizens generally who
doubt the wisdom and good sense of
imposing a bonus on the country un-
der the present financial conditions.
Whether these protests against the
bonus will prove sufficiently impress
sive to convert the members of Con-
gress who have been frightened by
threats of political reprisals during the
coming elections is matter Of opin-
ion 1t is obvious that many Senators
and members who indicated their pur-
pose to vote for the bill despite the
protests of President Harding and
Secretary of the Treasury Mellon are
beginning to waver.
Opposition Unorganfzed.
The arguments advanced by hun
dreds of ex-service men and male
and female citizens who had to stay
at home have had at least one effect.
This is to prove even to the timid
members Of Congress that the demand
for bonus is not nearly so great as
the opposition to it. The difference
now revealed by the flood of letters
and arguments descending on Con-
gress H. that support Of the bonus
scheme is organized and directed by
resourceful propagandists. whereas the
opposition is that which emanates
from individual sources.
The professional influences up to
date have been successful in making
members of Congress believe that fail
uro to pass the bonus bill will ref1ec'
directly upon Senator'S and Represen-
tatives who refuse to vote for it. Con-
scquently there existed in the Con-
gressional mind until a compare
lively short time ago a natural ten
dency toward political self-preserva-
ton.
Several members Of Congress have
said recently that they have been led
to believe that "the vast majority OF
the ex-service men are in favor OF the
bonus"
Situation Changes.
That was before the opposition be-
gan to express itself in the form OF
letters from men and women citizens
who believe that cash gratuities should
be reserved until the financial condi-
ton of the country can better stand
the stupendous drain which even the
would now impose.
The arguments made by Secretary
Mellon against bonus legislation at this
time are frankly conceded to be un-
answerable, and the only justification
advanced for ignoring them is individ-
val political expediency.
The character of opposition to the
bonus measure is assuming definite
form. Many Of the letters received by
Senator's and Representatives reflect
skepticism as to the wisdom Of the
bonus project. In these letters the
most general reason urged against the
bonus is that it would compel the Gov
ernment to impose more taxes instead
or responding to the universal demand
for less taxes. Another reason widely
reflected is that an expansion Of the
tax system practically would eat up
within three years the awards to in
diyidual ex-service men who are eligi-
bic &C receive them.
The promoters OF tho bonus project
do not appear to have been impressed
by the force Of these arguments. They
have directed the full force of their
organized propaganda against mem-
bcrs OF the two houses and have dis
played both confidence and intelli-
gence in doing SO. A steady shower
OF demands for the bonus bill con-
stantly descends on Members Of Con-
gress.
There recently has appeared in
Washington a number Of sturdy young
men who have been soliciting aims in
the public streets at. night. One cf
several of his companions had been
urged to come to Washington 10 sI-1-
press upon Members of Congress their
dire need for Government aid.
Begs TO Aid Bonus.
This man frankly admitted that sew
eral men "who are out of work. had
been helped" to come to Washington.
He said they had been instructed to
"prove that ex-service men are in
favor OF the bonus" He further ad-
mitted that he had not made any Sc
rious attempt to get work, but that
M real object was ito do everything
can to help along the bonus bill and
TO wait until we get t."
Some OF the letters received by Sem
ators and Representatives in Congress
from ex-service men openly assert
that the agitation in favor OF the
FOUND ANYTHING?
If so, see IL II Is advertised In the Lost and
Found columns OF to-day's New York Herald