Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1922-02-20
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VARIOUS VIEWS CoNcEBN1NG
SOLDIERS BONUS SITUATION

Washington. Feb. 1s.-The soldiers
bonus situation continued today to be
so nebulous that republican house lead
ers still were unprepared to venture
even guess as to what plan of finance
ing ultimately would be agreed upon. 1t
was understood to be their disposition to
let the question simmer a while longer
in the hope that sentiment would so
shape itself as to facilitate the task of
those who will frame the measure.
1t developed today that beneath the
surface OF the storm which has ragged
around President Hardings suggestion
that the bonus be financed by a sales
tax there had been lot Of quiet talk
in support of the proposal advanced by
some leaders last week that the legisla-
ton be- made a general charge against
the treasury with expected savings
through cuts in regular appropriation
bills relied upon for the financing Of a
portion of the initial cost.
When first suggested by Representa-
tive Mondell, of Wyoming, the major
ity house leader, this proposal seemed
to meet with considerable favor among
the rank and file in the house. but the
idea became all but submerged by the
wave of talk that swept through cloak
rooms and corridors after the presi-
L
the ways and means committee. had
reached the capital.
Irrespective of the bonus. there ap-
parently was determination in the
house to reduce sharply the estimates
for both the navy and the army and
that possibly 100000 900 would be cut
out of the supply bills for those depart
ments alone. Such sum, it was said.
would go a long way toward meeting
the first years cost of the cash pay
ments TO the former service men.
Views of the majority members of the
ways and means committee on this plan
have not yet been publicly developed
These members will meet tomorrow to
go into the whole bonus question, but
an immediate decision as to how the bo.
nus will be financed Is not expected
Proponents OF 2 sales tax, however, are
understood to be prepared to force theii
fight in the committee at the earlies
opportunity.
Some opponents Of the sales levy con
cede that there are sufficient vote.
among the majority members Of tn,
committee to report out such a tax. bu
declare the question Of expediency mus
enter into the final decision. The frs
| consideration. they said, is the proba
| Bile effect of such a tax on the minds o
| the people generally, and the second tn
known effect that will be produce,
among republican members of the house
| If such a tax is proposed to a part,
! conference, the opponents assert tina
they will renew the fight which wa
waged successfully in a similar confer
ence in 1920 when the first bonus BIZ
was presented with sales tax attach
ed. Failing to win In the caucus the
declare their fight would be carried t
the floor Of the house with the expec
tation of almost solid support from tn
democrats.
1t is understood to be the hopes c
; leaders of the agricultural bloc that III
committee will report out a bill witt
out any specific provision for raisin
the funds as the senate finance commit
tee did last year. President Hardin
has said that he could not look with fl
vor on a measure that did not carr
ways of financing it, hut it was undel
stood to be the thought of some of Il
supporters of such a bill that with
large sum made available through 7
ductions In the estimated cost of co,
Quoting the regular government esta
lishment situation would be Great,
which would remove executive objectio