New-York tribune., 1922-02-18

for precisely what 1t is: A raid on
the taxpayers to help elect or re-clect
members of Congress. In its present
status the proposal is as illuminating n
commentary on the state of mind and
competency of our governors and rul-
ers as ever will be offered US. The
situation is simply grotcsque.
Chicago Tribune
Few, if any. opponents Of the soldiers
bonus have had the boldncss to say
that the men who defended them snd
their interests in war arc not morally
entitled to adjusted compensation. OPP
position has been based almost entirely
upon the assumption that the raising
of the necessary money would be such
q heavy burden upon the government
and upon industry that it would delay
return OF prosperity and thereby
cause the soldiers and all others more
harm than good.
The feeling that such opponents are
merely attempting by such arguments
to squirm out Of the payment is
strengthened by publication of the
latest figures on the retirement of gov
crnment war bonds.
We think that if the government
could retire these ong-term securities
6. ~
it could finance the bonus. The as
sumption that the United States is
financially and economically unable to
finance the bonus is false. We can and
we will finance it and continue on our
way TO greater prosperity.
Boston Herald
Presiders Hardng's handling Of the
bonus question is altogether states
man ike. He is willing, even desirous,
Of embarking on this legislation pro
vidlng Congress will establish the sales
tax with which to meet the cost. With
this program we entirely agree. It
yout woud Ss be vet1E for pr th @ to
sales tax is immediate. direct and prac-
teal in its operation. We should like
to see it tried.
Baltimore Sun
Owing to the hostility in Congress
to the general sales tax, the recon
mendation of President Harding will
be accepted in some quarters as q
movement to postpone action on the
soldiers bonus
If the bonus is 20 be put through at
all. more commendable plan than the
Presidents-to use his own adjective
would be to raise tie necessa~v ~",-
cnue through an increase in the indi-
viuual income tax rates. There has
been 10 support of this plan in Con-
Gress. Is it because it would make it
30 plain to the people that they arc
paying the bonus and that the political
enecC would thereby be bad?
Springfield. Mass, Republican
The Presidents real message to Con
gress is 70 be found in his sugges stion
that the whoe subject again be def
nitcly postponed This is counsel chat
Congress should accept. Ii Congress
needs more drastic advice the Presi-
dent should not hesitate to inform his
callers that he would veto the bill.
Los Angeles Times
Those who were actually injured in
the service are the wards Of the people
of the United States. They must be
adequately cared for regardless Of cx-
pensc and we mut husband our tax
able resources in order that the money
for their care shall always be avail
able, for [ at expense is likely to in
crease rather than to diminish for a
number CT years. Il we should exhaust
our industrial and economic reeources
i'll additional taxation for blanket
bonus the time might come when we
would not be able to care adequately
'or those who suffered actual physical
or mental injury. 1t is not this year
alone, but for number O. years. that
that Sl.oo0.O0o day must be paid