The New York herald., 1922-04-24
BONUS OPPOSITION
SUFFICIENT TO BAR
OVERRIDING VETO
More Than Third of Senate
Will Battle Against
Treasury Raid.
NUMBER UNDERRATED
Farm Loan Board Is i'm the
Fight Against Demand
Of Legion.
GRAVE DANGERS FEARED
Finance Committee to Report
Measure Regardless Of Far
mers' Interests.
GRAVE DANGERS FEARED

New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. G.. April .3.
Promoters of tie bonus raid will use
their heaviest artillery To ward off at
tacks during the coming week.
The indications are that they will
have their work cut out for them de-
spite their confidence that tLc bonus
Senator'S seeking reelection will be
able to compel the report of a bill to
commercialize patriotism.
The scathing arraignmcnt by Sena-
tor Borah OF an American Legion post
which threatened him with political
punishment If he did not withdraw
his opposition to the bonus is certain
to provoke a spirited legislative battle.
The Idaho Senator's defiance of the
threats Of a legion post in his homo
State is an event that promises to
bring to the front the true political
significance OF TIE movement to i'm
pose further tax burdens on the people
for the benefit Of comparatively few
ex-service men.
EOAticah rinse Snr0mOunt.
Replying to the threat, Senator
Borah has made tie political phase Of
the agitation for a bonus OF para
mount Importance.
If should vote for it fthc bonus)
it would be a simple matter of barter,r
said the Senator. "in which would
use the peoples money to buy some
body's vote: in which the account OF
my political expenses would be charged
to the Taxpayer"
Admissions made by somc OF the
most ardent supporters Of the bonus
In the Senate fully confirm Mr.. Borall's
estimate OF the actual influences be-
hind the bonus raid. Whether his ex-
act, statement of the situation VIII
serve to open the eyes OF Senators
seeking reelection as TO the popular
Interpretation OF their votes Is cx-
trernely doubtful
The fact is. the Senator's committed
to the bonus for purely political reasons
are determined to go ahead with their
program. despite the protests of Presi-
dent Harding. Secretary Mellon, farm
ers, women and citizens generally
against the $4,000. 900 900 scheme which
Congressional candidates seeking re-
election are bent on putting through.
Protests to he Ignored.
RI the bonus Senators can bring il
about. the Finance Committee will re-
port some sort OF a measure irdorsed
by the American Legion and other
bonus claimants without further de-
lay, possibly during the coming week.
Every logical and reasonable argument
advanced by Government officials.
women citizens, who arc overwhclm-
ingly against the scheme TO CONNER
cialize patriotism, and the fact that
hundreds OF farmers are against the
bonus, will be ignored.
The decision practically reached by
the bonus Senator's to deny to Prcsi-
dent Harding and Secretary Mellon
voice in the deliberations over the bill
which the Finance Committee is trying
to work out proba bly, Will cause a
wave Of Indignation 10 sweep the coun-
try but fail 10 halt the activities OF
bonus Senator's.
Chairman Mccumber candidate for
reelcction) OF the Finance Committee
has decreed that only the American
Legion officers shall be heard. lie
thinks "it would be a waste of time for
us to pass legislation which would be
Objectionable TO the American Legion"
Most of tho bonus Senator's who are
candidates for reelection and their
sympathetic associates think the same
thing.
Consequently 1t is not expected that
the committee will seek further in
formation or advice from Secretary
Mellon. Federal Reserve Governor Har-
ding. Comptroller Crissingcr. the chair
man OF the Finance Corporation and
the chairman Of the Farm Loan Board
The schedule appears to call for limited
hearings. with American Legion Of
ficials as the only performers, and tho
early report OF bill which will ignore
the facts and figures submitted by
Government experts to prove that the
country is not in o position to stand
further burdens In the way Of taxation.
Lcgion's Political Power.
The bonus Senators. like their as
sociates in the lower house, have al
ready made up their minds that the
only feature Of the bonus situation
worth considering Is the alleged politi-
cal power OF the American Legion and
other bonus propagandists. Tho scope
and character of tho bill which the
Finance Committee Is expected to pro-
ducc is not regarded as of Importance
so long as II proposes TO reward ex-
service men with Government money.
AS soon as the American Legion puts
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