Evening star., 1922-02-17
LEADERS SEE DELAY
FOR SOLDIER BONUS
Discussion of Presidents
View Puts Definite Action
Weeks Away, Is Belief.

Let it simmer for a while ap-
pears to be the prevailing thought
In the rank and file in Congress
concerning the bonus bill, following
President Harding's communication
upon the subject to Chairman Ford
ney of the ways and means COM
mittee. The ways and means COM
mittee will have the question be-
fore it, but it is thought definite
action by the Congress on Il bill will
not be consummated for some weeks
to come.
For one thing. it Is explained. the
lawn akers on the Hill are disposed
to allow little time to elapse until
they can gauge the reaction OF the
country on the Presidents letter,
current wave of popular opposition
to any bonus legislation at all. I'm
questionably. the country is being
heard from" at this time. 1t il said
that in the past week or SO a tre-
mendous volume OF protest nas .s
the legislation. 1t has come not
only to Congress, but to high ad-
miniStration quarters. The White
House mail. it is reported. SHOWS a
preponuerancc of communications III
determined opposition to the lesis-
lation.
Another Angle of Situation.
In the face of this state of mind at
the Capitol are the repeated state.
something will be done before the
session ends. Another angle OK the
situation is the thought which Is hnd-
ing expression among the doupteIs
that the obvious state OF uncertainty
surrounding it forecasts the posi-
body admits that the question Is up
in the air. and the more doubtful
prophecy that 1t will not :'alight."
AS was expected, the suggestion OF
the imposition of a sales tax met Win
instant objection. Yet 1T was ap-
parently the only alternative ieft the
President in the exercise of his con-
stjtutional powers to recommend to
the Congress legislation. He had re-
iected with emphasis. ACCOMPANIED by
reasons deemed by him Suffic1ent, the
proposal of a bond issue and likewise
had opposed the special taxes pro-
pose,l by the ways and means COM
mitteemen.
The sales tax was regarded as inner.
ent with possibilities of more general
application, reaching all alike; OF
course, including the beneficiaries of
the bonus 1t has been supported by
a group Of senators, with Senator
Smoot, an influential member of the
finance committee, at their head. The
so-calied farmers bloc" has stoutly
resisted the proposal. however, and as
soon as the Presidents letter was made
nublic there aroe objections from
prominent democrats.
View Of Democratic Leaders.
Leaders Garrett and Garner of the
democrats of the House and Senator
Caraway of Arkansas, in the Senate.
made statements that the proposal
means allocating the cost Of the bonus
in a way far less acceptable than the
plan of taxing excess profits and the
means of the wealthy. forecastins a
partisan attack upon the suggestion.
1t thus became quite evident that the
alternative, or what might be called
the last resort proposal of the Presi-
dent, would have hard shedding in par
tisan as well as bipartisan quarters.
SO, in these conditions 1t Is easy to ac-
count for the growth of the sentiment
to let the subject hang fire until the
lawmakers can view 1t from all it's dis
turbing angles.