The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-03-29
CONSTITUENTS RAKE
HACKERS OF BONUS
Continued from First Page.

I tnOSe posts was In fSockldnu county,
in a mill town where the members
were largely the sons of mechanics
working in the mills.
"Those men 40 not want me to vote
for that kind of legislation because
they believe it belitties their patriot
ism and their manhood. Those men
went to war to defend their country;
not for wages, but because they real
lied that service was the price which
they paid for their citizenship, and
they were glad to fight to defend their
country, which has shed so many
blessings upon them and upon all Of
! US.
Their Concern for Disabled.
And particularly they do not want
a bonus paid to them when there are
| 100000 ex-service men in this country
| who cannot obtain compensation. al
though they are disabled, because they
say that this disability cannot be
| traced to service origin. And they do
not want to be paid a cash bonus
| when they know that sooner or later
| taxes to make it UP will be imposed
| upon the fathers and the mothers and
the sisters of men who died in France
or who arc disa bled in this country
And the members Of these posts were
undoubtedly looking forward to the
day when their comrades shall have
passed the meridian of life and through
age. or physical ailments will really
need assistance.
"They feel that If the gratitude of
the nation is ever to be expressed in
dollars that tl.en will be the time, not
now, when they are abled bodied and
fit for lifes battles. They do not want
any one. when that Tina shall come
and this relief is sought. to be able
Justly to say, While you demand Gov
eminent aid you have no moral right
to make demand, because when you
were young and strong and healthy. in
your early twenties, you preferred TO
settle with your country on a cash
basis
II agree absolutely with the stand
these men have taken. shall not
vote for any measure which belittles
their patriotism and manhood. / will
not support any bill which sanctions
the barter OF a glorious inheritance for
miserable mess of pottage. l will
not vote to authorize Communication OF
nations gratitude for this miserable
pittance."
Discussion Of the bonus bill among
members of the Senate Finance Com
mittee has developed a complete con-
currence of view that the certificate
loan plan win be Of little or no value
in framing a bonus bill fit to report
to the Senate"
Opinion as to the character of any
bonus bill that finally may be decided
on naturally varies with individual
preference on the part of six Of the
Republican members, who favor leg
islation on the subject provided an
acceptable plan for financing II can be
devised.
Looking for Partisan Advantage.
| At least four OF the Republican
members the committee are OPP
| posed to the bonus in any form. The
six Democratic members have not
reached any conclusion In the bonus
fight. They are viewing the problem
from a political angle and are nat,f-
rally seeking partisan advantage.
\ A Republican member OF the Finance
Committee who is opposed to the
/ bonus on general principles this after
noon said that regardless of the predi-
lections OF individual Senators any at
tempt Of the American Legion to
stampede that committee into report
ing the bonus bill would be defeated.
The same Senator said the members
OF the committee desired the fullest
information regarding every phase of
the bonus issue. The one sided in
vestigation made by the House Ways
and Means Committee will be entirely
discarded.
Secretary Mellon and other officials
OF the Treasury Department will be in
vited to appear before the committee
and provide detailed information re-
gardmg the financial condition OF the
Government and the probable effect on
| Treasury conditions and business OF
the country OF any measure that may
be adopted as the basis for bonus legis.
iation.
The American Legion will also get
an opportunity to prove to the COM
mittce the justice OF the claim OF the
members OF that organization for gra.
tuities in the shape OF public money
The legion viii undoubtedly be re.
aucsted to furnish a complete list Of
tho subordinate posts which favor
bonus payments to ex-service men. al
well as those who have expressed their
opposition to II.
A member OF the committee said ht
would also seek information regarding
the political commitments OF the or.
sanitation 1t is his purpose to hav,
the legion officials specifically name
Senators who are 10 be supported
against their opponents in the coming
Congressional elections.
Legion officials will be asked to Civ,
detailed description OF the style o
propaganda countenanod by them II
bringing influence 20 bear on Senators
and Representatives. Information will
also be sought al to the amount o
roonay oxpondod &c tha too,on In coo