Evening journal., 1922-02-25
BUSINESS men
AGAINST BONUS
u. S. Chamber of Commerce
Referendum Shows 72
Per Cent. Opposed
MACNIDER SAYS
VOTE WAS FAIR

erendum nave voted against lhe SUI
diers' bonus bill pending in Con-
gress.
AS the majority against the pro-
iect is in excess OF the two-thirds
necessary to commit the chamber TO
anv policy itself In opposition to all
legislation that proposes the pay
ment Of financial gratuitles to able
bodied ex-service men. but will urge
that "adeouate relief for the dis
abled still remains the first STEP
The fairness OF the referendum
was attested by the commander OF
the American Legion on January IL.
In announcing the decision OF the
membership of the C h a m r
throughout the country, Elliott II.
Goodwin. who conducted the refer
endum. said:
Leaders OF the American Legion
had expressed TO officers of our or
ganization the opinion that tie ac-
ton taken by delegates at our last
two annual meetings in opposing
the cash bonus did not report the
membership as a whole
"This was the chief reason which
inspired the officers Of the National
Chamber OF Commerce to undertake
the referendum. the result OF which
was announced today"
The referendum, besides calling
for vote on a cash bonus and GER
tiflcate plan. asked an expression by
the chambers membership on three
other propositions contained In the
so-called Veterans bill pending Con-
eress. The result as shown by the
ballot puts the chamber on record
for a national system for reclama-
ton for the benefit OF ex-service
men and for vocational education
for ex-service men. two-thirds
majority, necessary to commit the
chamber, was lacking on the ques-
ton of governmental appropriations
10 enable ex-service men TO build
homes. The propositions submitted
and the vote on each follow;
1. Do you favor a national
system of reclamation 70 be in
a, itiated through adequate Fed
reA erai appropriations and TO be
IONS carried out for the purpose OF
race affording ex-service men an op-
'elawar7rtunity TO cultivate the soil2
Tor. 124e against, asa; car
~ %%'-~ @~~N
'our-hundDo you favor national leg
PES islation and appropriations 10
enable ex-eervice men to build
homes7
For. 1922; against. sss; no
decision.
3. Do you favor national leg
islation and appropriations to
enable ex-service men to obtain
vocational education7
For. 1878; against, s16; car
ried.
Do YOU favor national legisla-
ton for a general bonus. wheth-
er paid in cash Immediately or
with payment deferred through
use OF certihcate7
For 4e7; against, 1871, OPP
Votes we're cast by business or
angizatlons in 375 cities. 46 States,
in the District OF Columbia, Alaska
and Hawaii and by American ckam-
bers OF commerce in Cuba and Mex
leo. More than 70 per cent. of the
votes cast were in opposition TO the
cash bonus. Both classes of the ma
tional chambers membership. loca
chambers Of commcfce and trade as
sociations recorded themselves
against the bonus by a more thar
two-thirds majority.
OF the thirty eight referenda tina
- have been taken by the chamber
rhe number OF organizations votinl
against the bonus was the larges
recorded. ,,.with the exception o
three. More than the average mum
ber Of smaller organizations cas-
ballots
For the last two years" said MI
Goodwin's statement. "the nationa
chamber has advocated adequat
provision and care for mentally o
physically disabled veterans an
after that constructive meausre
for the healthy uninjured veterans
such provisions to include vocations
training. home building and Ian
settlement aid. The statement wa
made by veteran organization lead
ers that the bonus measure was nc
understood, but that once explaine
the previous action taken az our ar
nual meetings would be overwheln
incly reversed with respect to IN
. cash bonus
with a desire to be perfectly IA
and to be made aware OF any chanG
in public sentiment II a chang
there had been. we submitted N
matter to referendum. The test "
made was nation wide. Argument
that have been made on both sid,
Of each question were presented /
detail 10 insure study and compar
son by the Chambers membershi
The fairness OF the presentation va
attested by the commander OF n
American Legion. who wrote us {
January II:
There Is no doubt in our min
that in your referendum every a
tempt has been made to prese
both sides OF the question complet
~. but 1 cannot refrain from cal
ing your attention TO some seemii
discrepancies-not more probab
than would creep into any such do
ument
During the forty-five days IT,
the referendum was being taken,
thorough and vigorous campaii
was carried on by veteran organic
tions advocating the bonus, and pa
ticular attention was given to pr
senting the bonus side before loc
commercial organizations. Tho
sands OF veterans are themselv
members Of chambers of commer'