The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-19
SAYS CONGRESS-
HAS FAILED TO
MEET PAYMENT
Revenue From Which To Pay
BestowaI Not Provided. =,
Would Involve Dangerous
Abuse of Public Credit. sNf
S75O, 1000, 600 IN FOUR YEARS
Final Charge Excess of Four
Billion, Harding Says.
Bill Is Returned Unsigned TO
House This Afternoon.
Would Involve Dangerous
Abuse of Public Credit. sHf
S750, 100000 IN FOUR YEARS
Final Charge Excess of Four
Billion, Harding Says.


Washington, Sept 1s.-The soldiers
bonus bill was vetoed today by Presi-
dent Harding.
In returning the measure to con-
gress without his approval, the execu-
tive, in a message to the house, de-
clared that he was in accord with the
avowed purposes of the bill, but that
he could not subscribe to its provi-
sions.
| Outlining the reasons for his veto
the president said that congress had
failed, first of all, to provide the
lreyenue from which the bestowai was
| to be paid. He added that the ulti-
mate cost could not be estimated defi-
lnitely. but that the treasury figured
the total at $3.50, 100000 for the first
four years, with a final charge in ex-
cess of $4,000,0O0,
Mr.. Harding told congress Of the
proposed service certificates substi-
tuted for the original cash payment
would constitute borrowing on the
nations credit just as truly as tho the
loans were made by direct govern
ment borrowing. He added that this
involves dangerous abuse of public
credit.
The executive declared that it was
essential Ito remember that a more
| than $4.000,000.O0O pledge to able
service men would not diminish the
later obligation which the veterans
contributed to the rolls of the aged.
INDECENT and dependent" This obli-
CATION. he said, would "cost more bill
| hons than l venture to suggest"
Tho Message.
| President Hardings bonus veto
message follows:
To the house of representatives:
| Herewith is returned, without approval,
, n r. 10S14, a bill to provide adjusted
compensation for the veterans Of the world
war; and for other purposes
o,, H1tn aIl me avowed purpose OF the bill to
| those who served in it's defense In tie
world war am in accord but to its provi-
slons DO not subscribe. The United States
| never Will cease to be grateful, IL cannot
a and never Will cease giving expression to
I'm legislation for what is called adjust
ed compensation congress failed, first of
ali: 81 RE2yide the revenue from which the
fDeEfp VT js to be paid.
Moreover, IL establishes the verv dam
geTernts precedent Of creating a treasury
covenant TO pay which puts burden.
| Farlously estimated between four and five
| billions upon the American people not 10
discharge an obligation. which the govern
bonus with the Soldiers nns 90 psstST s,,
| serving In the war, did not expect
1t is not to be denied that the nation
has certainly very binding obligations TO
| those of its defenders who made real sac
rifices In the world war and who left the
armies injured, disabled, or diseased SO
! that they could not resume their places
in the normal activities of life. These
obngauons are being gladly aud gener--
| there inefficencies and injustices and
| some distressing instances of neglect, but
they are all unintentional, and every
| energy is being directed to their earliest
possible correction.
| No Complaint As To Cost.
| fIn meeting this obligation there IL no
complaint about the heavy cost. In the
current fiscal year we are expending S510,-
100000 on disqualification and care OF sick
and wounded on compensation and voeA-
tional training for the disabled. and for
! "The figures do not include the more
than $35,0oo,OOo in process OF expenditprs
| on hospital construction.
"rhe estimates for the year to follow
are approximately S47O.000,OOO and the
! figures may need to be made larger. Tho
| the peak in hospitalization may have pass
ed, there Is a growth in domicilization, and
the discharge in full Of our obligations TO
the diseased, disabled or dependent who
have a right to the government care with
| insurance liability added, will probably
100000.
More than 5000 veterahs are now en-
rolled in some OF the 4f5 different courses
sand Of them are in schools or colleges,
more. than 5000 are in industrial estab-
sand are being trained in schools operated
by the veterans bureau
Approximately nineteen thousand have
completed their courses and have employ
1nent in all case where they desire II, and
5000 have deferred for the present time
their acceptance of training. The number
eligible under the law may reach close t.
100000 and facilities will continue TO be
afforded unmiDdful Of the necessary cost
until every obligation Is fulfilled.
Two hundred and seventy-siX thousand
patients have been hospitalized. more than
a quarter of a million discharged, and
| 25,67s patients are in our hospitals today.
s4soOO0.oo0 To Disabled.
-Four hundred and sixteen thousand
awards Of compensation lhave been msde
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