Evening journal., 1922-06-29
PUT SCREWS ON
BONUS SENATOR'S
tcontInuea frOm FIrst Pagel

that there be no further delay have
assumed the form OF threats to or
ganize the suspectible soldier vote
against Senators catalogued as "un-
friendly unless they move at once
TO ignore the recommendation OF
President Harding and the agree
ment of the Senate Republican con-
ference to keep the tariff ahead Of
the bonus at the top of the list.
The threats coming from the le-
gion politicians have had the effect
OF Increasing the distress of dozen
or more Republican Senators who
persist in the unwarranted belief
that the soldier vote can be deliv-
cred en- bloc either for or against
them.
Arguments supported by the re-
suits Of primary events are swept
aside by bonus Senators. who fear
the ogre of the soldier vote. IDcreas-
ing signs of impatience on the part
of these Senators indicated a speedy
return TO the attack on the
White House. and Republican Sena-
tors who have been compelled TO
support the Presidential demand
that the bonus be kept in the back
ground.
Administration leaders admitted
today that they expect another move
within the next day or two TO put
the Senate on record for or against
the bonus. II looked for time this
afternoon as IL the test were TO be
staged at once as a result Of the /
action OF the Disabled Veterans |
League convention yesterday.
Senator Watson (Dem.. Ga) called /
the attention of the Senate to the ,
action OF the Disabled Veterans
League. In doing so he was COM
PEELED to admit that the Government
is making generous provision for the
manned, sick and disabled. He re-
fused. however, to concede that the
justice of the claim made by the Dis
abled Veterans League that the pro-
ponents of the bonus for ablebodied
ex-service men were taking advant-
age of the helplessness of their
less fortunate companions in arms.
In doing so he said:
Now, Mr.. President. I just read
IN the morning papers that certain
of disabled veterans met
II Philadelphia and denounced the
soldiers bonus upon the idea that
he disabled soldier had not been 1
provided for. Whoever is in charge
If that convention is i'll informed. {
his Congress has been most gener- (
,us TO the disabled soldiers. ]
so far as l can recall not sin
lie appeal has been made in his be-
lalf that fell upon deaf ears or ,
lardened heart. There has been
,rompt response to every appeal
made for the disabled veteran and
{ he is not now receiving the most
generous. kind and scientific treat
nent then the law which we have
passed has not been faithfully car ,
led out by those to whom It was
1t is not our fault If
he disabled soldiers are not being
.ared for in a manner which is more
liberal than ever was planned be-
tore in the history Of the United
States"
supported by Ashurst-
y tor Ashurst (Dem., Ariz),
bonus advocate. broke in TO
all Mr.. Watson's attention 20 the
act that S36,60O, 900 had been re-
emily appropriated by Congress for ,
ew buildings for disabled soldiers.
Confirmation OF the statements of ,
he two bonus advocates was pro- =
ided by the Government Veterans
iureau and the American Red Cross.
igures obtained from the Veterans
iureau show that since the armis-
ce more than $500, 900, 900 has
cen expended by the government
a caring for the disabled victims of !
he world war. The annual amount 4.
ispersed for this purpose exceeds :
hat OF any other single item in the
'ederal budget.
The complaint made by organiza-
ions of disabled veterans has not
cen directed so much to govern
lent agencies entrusted with the :
are of the disabled as against the
oliticians in the American Legion
Tho have been urging the provision
T a bonus to able bodied men in
iolation OF the pledge of legion
10 give preference to
he claims of the helpless. :
Delegations Of crippled victims OF
Ierman atrocity have hobbled to the
Thite House on two occasions to :
rotest to the President against
warding cash bonus TO men who
sturned from the service physically
apable of taking care OF them
slves, These helpless veterans have
epeatediy called the attention OF
enators and Representatives who
re intent upon passing bonus legis-
ltion TO a speech OF President Har-
ing before the Veterans of the
ifth Division.
In his address TO those veterans
he President said:
THE man who came back wound
d and Impaired in ability to carry
N the vocation OF his life deserves
he fullest aid in our power to give
nd I propose to use all the influence
hat I have to see that he gets H. I
m not so much concerned with
hose who came out OF the war unim-
'aired. They have the compensa-
ion OF supreme service and expert
nce.'
This is precisely the position of
more than thirty Senators opposed to
he bonus for able bodied men who
eryed in the world war. These Sem
tors havs supported every measure
esigned to improve the condition Of
hose renered helpless. In the SEN
tie debates which are likely to occur
Vhen the next move is made to bring
p the bonus full recital Of the pro-
ision made by the Government for
he disabled will be presented.
In addition to the Government
in this direction the Amer
an Bed Cross adopted budget