New-York tribune., 1922-02-17

on PreSi idcrt NardiNg's letter on bonus
leg station and comment on probable
action by the Scnato clearly revealed
the wide divergence Of opiuion to- day
in that body. Tao sales tax found some
advocates but there was strong opposi-
.ion also. Mem bers of the agricultural
bloc indicated purpose. If the sales
tax were prcsscd to seek to raise the
surtaSes on incomes and to revert to
/ shc excess profits tax. In the House
the situation IS also uncertain.
Senator Calder gave out q statemen.
declaring against the cash bonus He
said:
"ln MY opinion Il would be most un
wise TO issue bonds or levy taNes as in
dicsted in tho Ways and Means Com
mittce program for the purpose of pay
ing the soldier bonus. In tho present
state of The nations finances, it would,
in my Judgment. be 2 mistake TO pay a
cash bonus. am hopeful that out of
the general discussion Of this question
viii arrive some practical sugge stion
coming from the veterans themselves.
Favors paid-Up Insurance
Il would approve Of paid-up insur-
arcc that would 20 to the dependents
OF thc veterans in case of their death
or TO themselves at the end of twenty
years This would DC something really
worth while. as it assures the family
against want in case the breadwinncr
is taken. end the veterans against de-
pendcNce III later years"
Other Senate comment follows:
Senator Smoot. Repnblican II have
q c,.c q
proper way TO raise money. 40. of
course. ! am in favor of the Preside nt's
suggestion. AS for the suggestion OF
delay. ] do not believe there arc votes
enough to accomplish this. With the
election approaching the majority of
the members of Congress will want toe
bonus. Nor do I believe the cash pay
mcnts can be eliminated Whether the
sales taN can pass the House 7 do not
know. | am told that it cannot, but
if It does not there will be no bonus.
do not know what the sentiment in
the Senate on the sales tax is at the
present time. although believe it has
been ranidly switching in both cham
bers''
Senator Class. Democrat: 81 am
against any bonus, no matter how it
is paid. The interesting feature of the
sales tax proposition is that it would
y
only to pay his own bonus, but also
the bonus of those of his comrades who
are less thrifty"
Rorah Outlines Strategy
Senator Boran. publican: "Wc can
nov sit back and watch developments
Then VIC can opcn fire # the proponents
OF a bonus are ever able to reach an
agreement on A sales tax"
Senator Capper, Republican: "T am
unalterably opposed to a sales tax. and
do not think that the Presidents
proposal can be put through Congre SIS
would favor returning to the excess
profits tax. At the same time I an
strongly in favor Of bonus"
Senator I1arreid, Republican,: "The
President is right. 1t is either a sales
tax or nothing, and it looks to me
that a sales tax is the most equitable
way to raise the bonus"
Senator Edge, Republican: ut j!
! worth the price OF the bonus to get tin
: sales tax on the statute books as
\ means OF raising revenue"
Senator Harrison, Democrat: IF th'
: Republicans carry through any con
sumption tax it means the defeat o
the soldiers bonus
, Senator CuMmins. Republican: ~ an
opposed to any tax features in q bonu
bill. 1t is not wise to couple any ta'
law with tn. bonus bill"
Senator Norris, Republican: II ar
opposed to the sales tax. In my judg
nlent there are two methods mucl
better for raising the bonus-onc by
! progressive Inheritance tax and tn
= other by the collection sos the interes
on the foreign debt. am opposed t
postponing consideration Of this ques
ton. as suggested by the President,
Z, No
e Senator Fcrnald, Republican,. 9Th
= Presidents suggestion for sales Ia
u is an excellent ono, but what iAprcsse
;, = me more was his suggestion to post
- pone the whole question until condi
( tons improve. Business is now take
u to the limit without breaklng.'
q Senator Willis, Republican-l favo
the Presidents plan, but instead Q
calling ii a sales tax I would call it
bonus tax.
). Senator Warren, Rerublican-Th
-. country is in no shape TO stand 10
- any additional taxation, especially i
~ the interest Of strong. healthy mel
= In considering tbs question We shoul
u not lose sight of the fact that tn
~ government is now spending $780, 900
>, 600 for disabled soldiers.
=, - Senator Underwood. Democrat:
: am not in favor Of bonus and neve
70 nave Detl ~ NV bNiAcNt III Nil
: sales tax. believe ii the Eepublica
Il party passed bon1s bill carrying Al
' form Of taxation they will have ~
~ neXed to themselves one Of the mos
~ dangerous liabilities any political part
mas had 10 face for long time.
+ Princeton Legion Against Bonus
y Senator Borah gave out the followin
- telegram:
~ ~ "princeron. ~ j.. Feb IS, 1922.
# Senator Bolah. Washington, D. c.:
The Princeton Post Of the Legion
voted by All Overwhelming mag orlts
men served overseas, and regard thi
attempt to get votes unpatiiotic.
y JAMES BARNES.
An Service Reserve Corps.
y The American Legion does not agr.
:; With the alternative suggestion
" President Harding in his lettnr
y Chairman Fordney, of the Ways al
:. Means Committee, that there is ar
"A need for delay in the passage of the az
justed compensation bill undcr al
consideration, according 10 John Thom;
:. Taylor. vice chairman Of the Legion
~ = national Legislative committee.
r Legion Demands Passage
re The need for the passage of in
~ bin is immediate.' said NJ. Taylor t
Dc night. THE Legion does not intend
" be drawn into any discussion upon az
I proposed metnod for raising the rev
1t nue. to meet this just obligation.
. 20 lly- u <.,.,< <v- - T.