Evening journal., 1922-04-26
LEGION WANTS
THE MONEY NOW
CONTINUED From First Page)

support for Republican candidates
for the two houses OF Congress.
The methods employed by Senator
McCumber and his party associates
In permitting the American Legion
and Foreign War Veterans represen-
tatives to dictate the terms of the
bonus bill which Senate candidates
for reelection are determined to put
through despite tho opposition OF the
President, Secretary of the Treasury
and people generally do not appear
to be making friends for the bonus
scheme.
Several Republican Senators who
had promised to vote for n bonus
bill" view with disapproval the des-
perate attempt OF their colleagues
to override the judgment OF execu-
tive officials.
Democratic Senators who recall
the staggering burdens imposed on
the Southern States by the stipend
Gus pension system instituted after
the civil war likewise are beginning
to express skepticism as to the value
OF the bonus as an economic or po-
litical benefit. Some expressed the
opinion that support of the bonus
would react on Democrats as well
as the Republicans.
The meaneuvers Of the Finance
Committee Republicans 10 ignore
every consideration except the de-
mands OF the politically feared bonus
raiders have caused many Senators
10 withhold final judgment regard
ing the scheme until the views of
the President and executive officials
OF the Government have been OBJ
tained.
The decision OF Chairman Mo
Cumber and his bonus associates 10
exclude Treasury officials from par
ticipatlng in the preparation of a
bonus bill has been revised. The de-
mand OF the bonus claimants for
money down has necessltated con-
ferences between the Finance Com
mittee and Treasury officials TO esti
mate the cost OF the latest proposal
advanced by the bonus raiders.
II is quite probable that Secretary
Mellon and other officials of the
Treasury will be invited to prepare
estimates on the cost to the Govern
ment of the legion plan, which
would compel the Government to
raise a very large sum.
Republican members OF the Fin !
ance Committee declined today to
make any statement regarding the |
probable character of the measure |
which they hope to produce within
the next week.
I'VE conferred with representa-
tives OF the ex-service men," said |
Chairman McCumber, "but reached
no decisions. It was purely an in
formal talk with the veterans rep
designed to smooth out
some of the difficulties in the way"
Senator Watson Ond) was much
more candid than the Finance chair
man. He said;
I'VE listened to the talk OF the ex-
service representatives over the pro-
posed bonus bill. They acted very |
nicely about It. The chief point OF
disagreement now Is whether the in |
surance policy which we propose to
give TO the veterans shall have bor- !
provision. The vets insist |
on such a provision and perhaps a |
provision covering It Will be incor-
porated in the bill.
"They are entirely willing for us 20 |
work out the details and assure us /
that such a bill will be acceptable.
They have consented to elimination
Of the land settlement provision OF
The bill passed by the House"
When asked how much Govern
nent money would be required to
provide Immediate cash to meet the
demands OF the eX-service men, Sen
ltor Watson replied:
THAT detail we have not discuss
d. We will confer with the eX-
,erts OF the Treasury and have them
ubmit estimates. The agents of
he veterans also expressed satisfac-
ion with the suggestion to make Inn
Mediate cash payments only to those
oldiers entitled to $50 or less. We
ound the plan submitted by the rep
of the ex-soldiers to
aise the amount to 500 would i'm
ose n heavier burden on the Treas
ny than is desirable"
Regarding the prospects of the
bility of the Finance Committee
republicans to satisfy the demands 1
{ the bonus claimants, Senator
said: I'VE are now going to
nv to meet the objections raised by
resident Harding and Secretary
iellon. With that end in view,
ocular meetings of the Republican
MEMBERS of the committee will be Z
cid daily We have not decided
neither we will invite any further
estimony from representatives of
he soldier organizations which
avor the bonus"
'Ortent of New Complications.
This statement from Senator Wat :
on, who has succeeded in con- :
'incing his associates that President
will not approve the meas /.
Ire passed by the House, portends
many new complications in the bonus
situation. The President is standing
pat on his declaration that the only
plan acceptable to him for financing
the bonus is the sales tax.
He has emphasized his attitude in
this respect in the most direct and
conclusive manner during the last
week. The problem confronting the
bonus Senators IS to devise a scheme
that may stand a chance of getting
by an Executive veto. Just how
they are going, to do 1t constitutes
one of the hardest legislative nuts
that statesmen, hungry for re-elec-
ton, were ever called on to crack.
Some Senators in the neutral
group who are Withholding their
judgment on the bonus believe the
claimants who demand cash down
will have to give way. The opinion