Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1922-03-31
HOUSE PASSES
BONUS MEASURE
Bill 0. KID by Vote of 333 to 70,
Four Voting Present.
is NOW UP To THE SENATE
Certificate Plan Is Forced Through
Under the So-called Gag Rule
Sales Tax Advocates Explain
Their Ballot.

Washir gton, March 24.-The fight
for the soldiers bonus with the sales
tax was transferred to the senate
when the house, under gag rule, passed
the certificate bonus scheme by vote
of 1873 to 70, four voting present. The
bill carries a total Of $4,000,000,O00 ex-
tending over 20 years, but has no pro-
vision for raising the revenue.
The certificate proposition was
forced through the house with leaders
on all sides admitting that the measure
would be materially changed in the
senate, where consideration of the
bonus bill will be begun within few
days by the senate committee.
Leaders of the sales tax fight in the
house voted for the certificate bill.
They explained, however, that they
did 80 because they had been placed in
position by Republican house leaders
where they were not permitted to offer
amendments to the ways and means
committee bill, and were forced to vote
for the certificate measure or be
recorded as opposing the soldiers
bonus altogether.
1t was admitted on the floor Of the
house that President Harding will veto
the measure if it should be passed by
the senate In any other form than with
the cash bonus restored and the sales
tax attached to finance it.
Gag Rule Denounced.
The final vote came after four hours
of bitter debate, during which the
Republican house leaders were de-
nounced from all sides for their
strategy in invoking the gag rule to
gam the measure through to the senate.
Representative Longworth, Repub-
lican, of Ohio, told the house that he
wished he had been able to vote for
cash bonus bill with the sales tax at
tached, such as the President recon-
mended
twill the gentleman assure us that
this bill will be signed at the other end
of the avenue?' asked Representative
Cochran.
''While I don't assume to speak for
the President" replied Mr. Longworth,
ST can say~from my knowledge of his
mental objections to the five-way plan.
If by any chance this bill should pass
the other chamber in anything like it's
present form, will be surprised If 1t
meets with the Presidents approval"
The Republicans were charged by
Democrats throughout the debate with
having produced gold brick" for the
ctr WI
vented the offering of the sales tax
or other amendments was subjected
to constant criticism from both sides.
When the rule was submitted by
Chairman Campbell of the rules COM
mittee, Immediately after the house
met, Representative Fess of Ohio,
chairman of the Republican national
congressional committee, attacked the
house leadership for their strategy and
warned that President Harding would
not sign the bill.
"ThiS bill Is not what we wanted
to vote for" declared Mr. Fess. 81 re-
greet that there was not nerve nor
craftsmanship enough in those who
had charge of this matter to bring in
bill that provided a cash bonus and
a means to raise money now"
Applause from both sides of the
chamber and from the galleries greet
ed his statement. He continued:
;, Says President Won't Sign.
"Do not attempt to play politics.
You are passing bill here that your
own President will never sign, unless
he violates the inspired news that
comes from the feet of Gamaliel"
Mr.. FesS added, however, that he re-
garded the bill as better than no bill
at ALL" and he would be forced to vote
for it.
Acting Democratic Leader Garrett
made point of order against the rule
He contended that it was not privileged
and that other legislation could be con-
sidered first. The speaker overruled
him.
Mr.. Garrett declared there was no
thought of preventing the considera-
ton of the bill, but declared that the
minority sought the right to offer
amendments.
1--WE have a bill instituting a new
principle, or at least. new practice
I'm government" he continued, "and we
have a bill that will ultimately impose
upon the taxpayers of the United
States burden heavier than was I'M
posed by any government in the his
tory of the world in times Of peace"
He urged that the motion to vote for
the rule suspending house rules be de-
feated, so that the rule could be
changed to make amendments in or
der.
Mr.. Garrett attacked the certificate
scheme as being far more costly than
any other proposed form of the bonus.