The New York herald., 1922-02-20

Gle the different factions IN tnat time,
The conflict OF views as to the least
Objectionable method of financing the
raid is so intense that the Ohio Repre-
sentative takes rather a gloomy view
as 10 the outlook of an agreement
over any scheme for financing the
bonus measure.
Most of the members OF the Ways
and Means Committee concur in the
opinion of Mr.. Longworth, even those
who are most persistent in their de-
mand that a bill be put through to in
sure the political support of the ex-
service men in the coming Congress
sicnal elections.
Faces Veto by President.
The concensus of majority opinion
In the lower House is that "some sort
ot a bonus bill will be introduced,
passed and put up TO the Senate.
Speculation as to it's fate there varies.
The professional bonus propagandists
express confidence that the Senate
also will pass bonus measure after
protracted dispute between the two
houses. There does not appear to be
very much doubt that it will be vetoed
by the President unless, of course, it
should contain sales tax feature,
which is highly improbable.
The professional bonus men assert
they will be able to recruit the neces-
sary two-thirds vote in the lower
House to repass the measure over the
veto. But none of them is willing to
bet anything that it will receive the
necessary support in the Senate,
where sentiment is rapidly crystalizing
against II.
The bonus supporters i'll the lower
House do not express any particular
concern as to the ultimate fate of the
bonus raid, once they have recorded
themselves in favor of it. They ap-
pear to be perfectly willing to ''pass
the buck" for failure to the President
and the Senate, Their only concern
is to comply with the demand Of the
organized bonus propagandists that
they vote in favor of it.
Representatives of this frame of
mind are inclined to ignore the views
OF thousands of the ex-service men
who will not be satisfied with any
contract which calls for the delivery
of their votes i'm November until a
bonus bill has been passed, signed and
becomes a law. They will be satisfied
with nothing else. and any contract
made for the delivery of the soldier
vote to Senator's and Representatives
In return for their support of the
bonus raid will be abrogated until the
goods are delivered"
No Sympathy From Men.
The attitude Of the majority of the
service men is that Senator's and
members Of Congress promised to put
through a bill which would provide a
present of Government cash for each
man who served in the world war.
Where the money is to come from
and how it is to be raised is a matter
for Congress to worry about. The
average applicant for a cash bonus
doesn't care, and until he gets his
money he probably will take the view
that he has been "tricked" out of II
by some battling process of political
alchemy.
The difficulties and embarrassment
confronting Senators and Representa-
tives who assumed the responsibility
for presenting the ex-service men
with a present OF cash arouses no
sympathy on the part of the prospect
i've beneficiaries.
Chairman F'ordney has assumed the
fun responsibility for preparing a sat
isfactory bonus bill. The only interest
the seekers of cash have in Mr.. Ford
ney's venture is to see that he makes
good. He has entered upon his job
with enthusiasm, which is not shared,
however, by most of the leaders in
either party. He has made the posi-
tive promise that a bonus bill will be
prepared within ten days.
In a spirit of beneficent optimism
he made the prediction that the bill
prepared by him will be passed by the
House without much opposition. Here
again Mr.. F'ordney appears TO reflect
the minority view. Even the most
ardent of the supporters of the bonus
raid admit it is certain to have hard
shedding before it finally passes that
body. which they are certain it win do
Tho elimination of every plan for
financing the raid has left the best
minds among the professional pro-
moters and in Congress practically
bankrupt OF rational ideas. The bond
issue scheme has been dropped; the
fantastic plan to use the interest on
the foreign debt has been abandoned;
ditto the short term certificates
scheme; ditto the crippling of the
army and navy by appropriation shaw
ing; ditto the eight point project to
pilo additional taxes ON the mails.
amusements. tobacco. gasoline and a
few other commodities.
Two Plans Yet Available.
The rejection of the Presidents
suggestion for a production sales tax
seems TO be final and complete. But
one OF two things appear TO be yet
available. One is to omit any method
for raising the five thousand millions
of dollars necessary TO finance the
raid. This would put it UP to tho
Treasury Department to develop ad-
ditional sources of revenue without
authority for doing so.
Even TIE most gulliole of the pros
pective benefciaries OF the bonus raid
aro haCfnninp IN appreciatn tho nb-