The New York herald., 1922-09-20

with this phase of the bonus agitation
expressed the opinion that 1t will be
some time before a similar raid il
projected by the mercenary soldier
element supported by candidates for
Congress whose interest is solely
political.
Presidents Final stroke.
No period of the Presidents striking
message leaves deeper impression
than his closing statement:
These ex-soldiers who served so
gallantly in war and who are'to be
so conspicuous in the progress or
the republic in the half century be-
fore us must know that nations can
only survive where taxation is re-
strained from the limits OF oppres-
sion, where the public treasury is
locked against class legislation, but
ever open to public necessity and
prepared 10 meet all essential obliga-
tions. Such a policy makes a better
country for which 70 fight or to have
fought. and affords a surer abiding
place in which to live and attain.
This declaration was properly inter-
preted as indicating the final conclu-
sion OF the President that national
necurity would not in the future justify
a repetition of the projected raid so
decisively rebuked in these well chosen
words.
1t would not be entirely accurate to
say the Presidents veto message ac-
companying the bonus bill was unex-
pected in character. 1t would be far
more truthful TO assert that the whole
tone of Mr. Hardings message was
most disappointing TO the supporters
of the bonus raid and agreeably COM
forting TO those who have opposed It
from its conception.
Expectation und Apprehension.
Congressional leaders who We're To
some extent prepared for the veto were
quite certain that the President would
hold out some encouragement to JUS
tify future ventures in the same line.
Senators and Representatives who
have been opposed to the scheme
from the start were apprehensive that
he might do so.
Perhaps the most gratifying COM
ments by members of the two Houses
on both sides of the argument related
to the unwavering note of tinality in
the Presidents declaration that polit-
cal schemes to confer Government
sratuities on ablebodied ex-service men
are patriotically unsound and econom-
icaliy disastrous. In taking this posi-
ton the President. according to both
bonus and anti-bonus Congressman.
has effectively closed every door
against enterprises proposing bonuses
and other forms of Government graf
uities to any group or class asserting
special privileges.
The Presidents message. which is
certain to add greatly to his reputation
as wise administrator and conscien-
tious steward OF tn /, affairs of Govern
ment. provoked the most pronounced
pessimism among the bonus supporters
who have clung TO the idea that he
could be swept from his moorings by
the shifting winds of political expe-
diency.
Presidents Firmness shown.
Congressional critics who have held
this idea TO date now know that Mr..
Harding can not only reach a wise
decision but can support IL with both
tOQia-t dlld AlAtl1lSGiiIt. inc lilodCSt
and Unconditional terms with which he
disposed Of every argument urged in
favor of the bonus was admitted and
praised by some OF the disgruntled
Senator's to be practically unanswer-
able. His tribute to the men who
served under the American flag on
French battlehelds was couched In
terms which reflected the deepest SYM
pathy and loftiest patriotic impulse.
Even the Senators and members
who hoped for approval of the bonus
scheme admitted that his recital CT
the economic difficulties confronting
the Government was most logical and
convincing. His disapprovai of the
Fordney- -McCumber measure for eco
nomic reasons confirmed previous crit.
icisms pade OF the enterprise by Sec
retary OF the Treasury Mellon. The
President clearly revealed his convic-
tion that as a government instrument
the bonus bill was wholly inadequate
in that 1t failed 10 provide or even
suggest source of revenue without
compelling the imposition of tremen-
dous burdens OF taxation on the peo-
pie for many years to come.
Senator's and Representatives who
have counted on the bonus scheme 10
help them win reelection to their seats
did not. Of course. like Mr.. Harding s
message disappearing OF II. Yet II
was significant that their adverse
comments, privately expressed, were
predicated solely on political grounds
None Of them made an effort TO deny
the force and logic OF the Presidents
statement that this is not a conpen-
sation but rather a pledge by the
Congress, while the Executive branch
of the Government is eft to provide
for payments falling due in ever in
creasing amounts"
Liquidated Their Pledges.
Proponents of the bonus measure in
both houses, frankly conceding the
ultimate defeat Of the veto bill in the
Senate. found comfort in the fact that
by their votes they had liquidated
their pledges" and could not or