The New York herald., 1922-02-25

communications opposing the bonus
during the last three or four days is
that the vast majority of them come
from Southern and far Western States.
In almost every instance the protests
from Southern sources emphasize OBJ
jections to the bonus on economic
grounds.
do you want to tax us to death like
the people OF European countries are
taxed?" asked farmer from Okla
homa, who adds the warning that "any
party that tries TO do it will be showed
under"
The decision of the Republican men,
bers of the Ways and Means Commit
tee to report adversely on the sales
tax scheme was hailed as triumph
for the agricultural bloc in the lower
house. even though most of the bloc's
members continue to demand that a
bonus bill be put through in order to
give them an opportunity to vote for
it-without the sales tax feature, Of
course.
Leaders in the bonus fight. while
admitting a steady swing of sentiment
away from them, asserted tonight
that they would put through bill re-
gardless of the consequences to the
Government and business of the coun-
try. The only definite proposal that
emerged from the confused conditions
after the action of the Ways and
Means Committee was one to put
through a bill without any financial
feature beyond mandatory instructions
to the Secretary OF the Treasury to
raise the money any way he could TO
pay the shot.
Senator Ernst's Announcement
In announcing his decision to vote
against the bonus raid Senator Ernst
said:
I'm my judgment there is no possi-
bic source of revenue TO pay the vast
sum needed for the bonus which would
not do an irreparable harm to the in
oustries of the country. What the
able bodied men need--and they are
the only ones over which the issue re-
volves-is a good job al a living wage.
Being convinced Of that fact. the best
thing Congress can do is TO lend every
encouragement to business to keep the
wheels of industry going. There Is
now gradual recovery of industry
from the serious blow of war; so that
If we do not enact some foolish and
hurtful legislation we may soon arrive
at normal conditions. Certainly we
should direct our efforts in that direc-
ton. and the eX-service men would be
doing the greatest service to their
buddies in supporting that program.
"On the other hand. IL we grant the
proposed bonus we will be dealing a
serious blow to industry. as business is
now carry all the taxation 1t can
support. Further depression would
add greatly to the distress of the ex-
service men. The proposed bonus. II
granted. would give only the slightest
relief to the soldieps. as they must
realize If they view the subject in a
cold, logical way. However. as has
been pointed out forcibly in THE New
YORK HERALD. the aggregate sum
needed would be serious blow to in
dustry for years to core"
Senator Ernst said that aside from
the principle involved 1t is better as
political proposition TO oppose the
bonus. and that several Senator'S who
are coming up for reelection now real
ize that fact. He pointed out that
because he refused TO commit himeslf
in favor of the bonus the American
Legion in his State threatened to wage
war on him. but that he ignored the
threats, refused to cater TO the soldier
vote. and won by a large majority.
Further his mail indicates clearly.
he said, that a vast number of ex-
service men are opposed to the bonus,
while business men generally are Bit
terIv antagonistic to the bill