New-York tribune., 1922-02-12
Grange Urges
Profits Tax as
Basis of Bonus
''Furtler Annoying, Busi-
ness Preventing and OBJ
jeciionable Tax Schemes
Protested by Farmers
''Bloc" Support Probable
Demand Upscis Plans of
Legislators to Devise
Means 10 Pay Veterans
Tr,bune'S Wosbfsoton 5,,-n.

fro1, The Tf,bune's Hushirofor Bureau
WASHINGTON. Feb. IA demand
made to-day by representatives Of the
National Grange that the money for
paying the soldiers bonus be raised
"without burdening the public with
furthe- annoying. business. preventing
and Objectionable tax schemes" and
fu1thcr demand that the excess profits
tax be re-enacted ard re-extended for
that purpose, caused much unea siness
to-day among the leaders Of Congress
who arc attempting to agree upon
program that will meet the great cx-
perse entailed by passage of the bonus
bill.
The demand Of the agriculturists
was made IN letter to Chairman
Fordney of the House Ways and Means
Committee, which set forth the oppo-
stion Of the farmers 20 the tax pro
gram now being considered by il
as means Of meeting the bonus pay
mcnts.
Represents 100000 Farmers
The letter from the National Grange,
which has a membership OF 900. 900
farmers. was all the more depressing
because virtually no progress was made
by the subcommittee representing the
Senate and House Finance Committees
in their efforts to straighten out the
tahglc which developed yesterday be
tween the two bodies over the program
of taxes for paying the bonus. An
executive session this afternoon. at
tended by Senators Smoot and McCum-
Der and Representatives Fordney. Long
worth and Copley. of the Ways and
Means Committee, did not bring these
ooricrces any nearer agreement The
continued opposition of Mr. Smoot 20
the stock and bond tax and the levy on
undivided corporation profits caused
the hitch.
The fat statement Of the position Of
the farmers organization was a bomb
shell. 1t is regarded by many at the
Capitol as indicative Of the attitude
which may be taken by the farmer
blocs" Of both the Senate and House
when the measure is reported from
committee for conside ration and pre-
sents to those now in charge of bonus
plans an entirely new problem.
Senator Smoot declared again to-day
that he is unaltcrably opposed to plac-
ing new burdens on business or tying
up money through the proposed stock
and bond tax or thc one on corporation
surpluses. Certain of the conferecs.
However, indicated tonight that thew
believed the Senators would agree to
the House tax schedule after possibly
one or two more conferences 1t was
stated that it may be found necessary
70 modify some of the proposals.
Holds Agriculture Overtaxed
The National Grange in its letter
called attention to the fact that with
less than one-third # the population
engaged in agriculture the proposed
elght-polnt tax program unloads at
least one-half Of the taxes upon agri-
culture directly, IN addition to agri-
cultures share as consumers in the
other taxes. More than hale the gaso-
line tax, moro than half the automo-
bile tax. all of the tobacco tax, a large
share OF the real estate tax, a large
share OF the bank check tax and a large
share Of the parcels post tax will bear
directly on agriculture. it is declared
The letter signed by Dr. r. G. Alike
son. Washington representative of the
Grange also states that, realizing the
emergency situation" it will immedi-
ately begin an aggre essive campaign in
favor Of the immediate re-enactment of
the excess profits tax. The state
oranges and 5000 subordinate oranges
will be enlisted III the program, it adds.
1t will also have according to the let
ter, the c,-ops:at OF Of the American
Farm Bureau Federation and all other
farm organisa'