The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-02-04
DISCUSS MEANS OF
FINANCING BONUS
Harding Calls Conference of Re-
publican leaders to Deter
mine Definite Program.
tsy The Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.--Ways and
means Of financing the soldiers bonus
will be discussed at conference be-
tween President Harding and repub-
lican leaders of the house and senate
early next week, it was stated today
at the white house. It is understood
that the various suggestions advanced
will be canvassed with view TO de-
termining upon definite program.
A decision as to methods of raising
the necessary revenue. reached in
agreement between the administration
and congressional leaders, would solve
the most difficult problem before the
house committee charged with drafting
the adjusted compensation legislation
and would be expected to speed UP
final enactment of the measure by re-
moving what otherwise might prove
subjects of serious disagreement be-
tween the house and senate.
Members of the ways and means
committee said today that the bill to
| be reported to the house, probably
within two weeks. would provide for
| beginning the cash payments to the
former service men on Jan. ], 1928
They said this would give time in
which to raise the revenue and to pass
upon the applications for the cash
| bonus.
! Re-encatment of the excess profits
| tax as O method Of financing the bonus
was urged before the ways and means
| committee today by Representatives
Woodruff OF Michigan and Brown OF
| Wisconsin, both republicans. They said
this was a just tax which would be
| more popular than some others. Oppo-
sition to such a proposal was voiced
by some of the republican members Of
the committee and in the colloquy thai
followed Mr. Woodruff declared thai
the repeal of this tax was zone of the
most reprehensible acts ever commit
ted by congress-
Both Mr.. Woodruff and Mr.. Brown
opposed any form of sales tax, as dis
previotIs witnesses, including II. G
McKensie of Walton, n. Y, represent
ing the American Farm Bureau fedora
ton, and Edward T. McGrady, legis
lative representative Of the American
Federation of Labor.
Mr.. Brown suggested that the treas
ury might be able to obtain consid
cradle sums from the sources proposes
in the original bonus bill offered b,
Chairman Fordney, such as slight in
creases in income surtaxes, stock divi
dends and tax of one-fifth of on
per cent on the sales of stocks an
| bonds.
Representative Nolan, republican
California, told the committee Their
was no need to levy any additions
taxes to pay the bonus if congress
would cut down the army and nav
appropriations. Pointing to the agree
ment at the arms conference for
naval holiday and the scrapping O
many existing ships, Mr.. Nolan de
clared that great savings could b
made in the cost of the naval estab
lshment He also urged that the arm
be cut to 100000 men.
J Opposition to the kind of cash bonu
proposed was voiced by Representativ
, Griffin, democrat, New York, a vetera
of the Spanish American war. He sal
the government as a cash propositio
should return the money the soldier
paid for insurance and as family allot
ments. The vocational training an
other plans should be put into force a
a matter of justice, he added.