Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-02-17
FOR BONUS
Continued from Page One)

/ tossed TO be confident that because
| OF the strong desire in both the
| House and Senate to put through the
bonue bill at this session a majority
of the members would come to ac-
! ccpt this levy rather than see the
| bonus program defeated.
| The Presidents letter, addressed to
| Representative Fordney was read at
q joint meeting of Republican men,
| bers of the House and Senate COM
mittees dealing with bonus question
and they agreed, after some discus
/ sion. 10 leave the matter in the hands
of the majority members of the
House committee
1t was announced that those men,
| bcrs would meet tomorrow. but it
was indicated that the tax question
would not be taken up Immediately.
| Officers of the American Legion will
be called in first, it was stated, to
give their views as TO Mr.. Harding's
| suggestion that instead of extending
the cash payments over two and one
half years, payments be deferred I'M
til the day when we may safely un-
dertake to pay at once in full"
Leaders generally. both Republi-
can and Democratic, said it was too
early to undertake any prediction as
to whether. if the issue finally came
down to that. the bonus bin with
sales tax provision would be defeat
ed. Some thought that many of
those now opposed to q sales tax
would accept it rather than vote
against the bill, but asserted that it
| probably would be several days at
least, before there would be a cry
| stallizatiOn of sentiment on which it
| would be safe to base a forecast.
In suggesting a general sales tax
| as "the only commendable plan, of
| raising funds. Mr.. Harding said he
| believed the American people would
accept such a levy for this purpose,
| adding that it would distribute the
| cost so that 1t would be borne by
all of the people and would not con-
tribute added differences to the prob
lens of REIMBURSEMENT.
| If Congress would not adopt such
a tax. the president wrote that il
would be wise to let the legislation
| go over until there was a situation
which would Justify the large outlay"
| Calling attention that the administra-
| ton was driving for large econo-
mics" rushing the disposition of sur
plus war property and has other tran
| sactions under consideration (which
ought to prove a great relief to tina
! federal treasury" Mr.. Harding added:
! 1T is not consistent to enact legs,
| lation in anticipation of these things.
but il would be a prudent plan to await
| the developments. and | can see in
such postponement no lack OF regard
| for the service men in whom all the
American people arc so genuinely in
| terested."
| Representative Dickinson, Iowa. a
| leader of the House agricultural bloc,
declared that Republicans from the
western states would fight any effort
on the part of party leaders to have
| adopted rule under which a bonus
bill with sales tax provision could
be put through the House without
amendment and that with the aid Of
the Democrats they ought to be sue
| cessful.
With the bill open to amendments,
| he said, there would be proposed
tax program including a levy on gifts,
| increased inheritance levies and sur
! taxes and re-enactment of the excess
! profits tax.
! Former service men now members
of the House-about a score in num-
bar--at meeting called soon after<Mr
IIarding's letter reached the capitol,
discussed the question of writing a
formal letter to Senator McCunser
urging that. enactment Of the bonus
bill be not postponed
| Opposition to any postponement Of
the legislation also was expressed by
John Thomas Taylor. Vice chairman
of the national executive committee
Of the American Legion. In a formal
/ statement. tonight he declared that
the need for passage of. the bill was
| immediate. and added. s. 80
THE Legion does not intend. to. be
drawn into any discussion upon ny
proposed method for raising the ,rsy-