Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-09-20

cit for the year succeeding, even after
counting upon all interest collections
on foreign Indebtedness which the
Government is likely to receive. TO
add to our pledges to pay. except as
necessity Compels. must seem no less
than governmental folly. Inevitably
IL means increased taxation, which
Congress was unwilling to levy for
the purpose Of this bill. and will turn
us from the course toward economy
SO essential to promote the activities
which contribute TO common welfare.
II Is to be remembered that the
part in the World War and pursue1
an unselfish policy after the cause was
won. We demanded no reparation
for the cost involved. no payments
out of which obligations to our sol.
dicrs could be met. I have not mag
nified the willing outlay In behalf of
those TO whom We have n sacred OBJ.
legation. II Is essential to remember
that n more than $4,000. .O00. 900
pledge to the able. bodied cx service
men now will not diminish the later
obligations which will have TO be met
when the younger veterans of today
shall contribute to- the rolls of the
aged. INDECENT and dependent. II is
pass that pension provisions for
World War veterans wfil be innde. as
il has been made for those who served
in previous wars. 1t will cost more
billions than venture to suggest.
There will be justification when the
need is apparent, and rational
financial policy today Is necessary TO
make the Nation ready for the ex-
rendi'ure which is certain TO be re-
Guirpd in the coming years. Inc
contemplation Of such n policy is IN
accord with the established practice
Of the Nation and puts the service
mon OF the World War on the same
plane MS the millions of men VINO
fought the previous battles Of the Re-
public.
Appeal to Veterans
confes. n regret that must sound
note Of disappointment to the many
cy service mcn who have the impress
sion that II Is as simple q matter for
the Government to bcstow billions IN
pcacc Ms il was to expend billions IN
war. | regret to stand between them
and the pitiably small compensation
proposed. dislike to be out OF ac-
cord with the majority Of Congress
which has voted the bestown,. The
simple truth Ia that this bill proposes
n Government obligation Of more than
four billions without a provision of
funds for the extraordinary cxpendi.
tnrc which the executive branch OF
the Government must finance in the
face of difficult financial problems and
the comnctc defeat Of our commit.
mcnt 10 effect economies. ] would
rather appeal. therefore. to the candid
reflections of Congress and the coun.
try. and to the OK service men in par.
ticular. as to the course better suited
tn further the welfare Of our country.
These OK soldiers who served so gal
lantly in war and who are to he no
conspicuous in tho progress OF the
Republic in the half century before us
must know that nations can only sur
vive whore taxation is restrained from
the limits of oppression. where the
public treasury Is locked. against class
legislation. but ever open L" public
necessity and prepared to meet nll
essential obligations. Such a policy
makes better country for which to
fi-h, or to have fought and affords
surcr abiding place in which to live
and attain.
WARREN G. HARDING.