Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-02-18
BONUS AND SALES TAX

yesterday 70 show TIE writer the let
ter he was sending 10 one Of our
senators. II was a good letter. 1t
stated that II Is the feeling of all the
Legion men that the bonus bill should
be passed: that It would mean much
20 the married men: that some Of the
boys are thinking OF putting 1t into
little home and he added: 1.-THE boys
here stick together and stand for real
Americanism and ale doing their
part in the problems that are con-
fronting us just as they did during
the war" And he was telling the
truth. He saw real service, was
eassed and has suffered horribly and
II now taking advantage Of the voca-
fional training affo, .ed by the Gov
eminent.
lie was asked IL he didn't have
some apprehension lest the tide OF
opposition setting in against the pay
ment of the bonus at this time might
cool the sentiment which Is insisting
on generous and effective aid to the
disabled soldier, as he must know
That the moment public sentiment
fails TO insist the effort will lapse
hack into bureaucratic inefficiency.
He did not seem at all apprehensive.
We are not so sang1line as he.
. Another Legion man recently -e-
marked that any veteran. not in abb
solute need, who would take a cash
bonus In lieu of one Of the other op-
tons offered by the bill, should have
his head examined. Eut he did not
suggest any good reason why the
soldier. who can afford to take any
thing but cash, needs to have bonus
bill passed at this critical juncture
when affairs are at the foot of the
upgrade and getting up steam to
rlimb Il.
Il believe" said President Harding
in his letter to Chairman Fordney.
"the American people will accept the
levy OF n general sales tax to meet
the proposed bonus payments, and we
should contribute thereby no added
difficulties to the problem of read
justment. If Congress will not adopt
such a plan 1t would be wise to let
the legislation go over until there is
= situation which will justify the
large outlay"
= AS the bonus. by TO Interpretation
which may be put on it, is a pay
ment to the soldier fer what he did
surely no paltry few hundred is rec
ompense-and as the features of the
appeal which are most impressive are
the temporary relief 1t might afford
to the soldier out o. employment and
the fact that 1t would serve as q
in not drafting men 10 work as we'll
as to fight. these being the appealing
features of this proposed law, why not
raise the money by sales tax? Let
each Of us be fined for not doing our
duty. for not insisting that the Gov
eminent which took men and sent
them to fight did rot likewise take
men and set them to work. We ought
not 70 complain at fine for such
negligence. We surely ought not to
be unwilling to do something for the
soldier out of employ ment if there be
any way OF helping him without ag-
graVating his condition, which Is Just
what we would do ,f we undertook to
issue bonds. tax automobiles or i'm
pose excess profits taxes. The bust
ness men can't continue to Gin
definitely balance 100 per cent posi-
bic losses against GO per cent or 70
per cent Of possible GAIN"
The President admits that It is not
IN agreeable thing for him to do to
recommend the further postponement
of the bonus. He has been and is in
favor of 1t whenever it may be done
without such consequent injury as to
nullify the benefits to the recipients.
but he thinks the plan. which tries to
make it easy by partial payments, is
not a wise one. He would wait until
payments could be made in full and
the ex-service men receive something
worth while.
As we see It the country is COM
mitted to the payment of bonus and
those who advocate the immediate
payment are under obligation to de-
wise. II that be possible. a proper way
An which 1t may be done. The sales
tax is not an unjust method and the
proposed insurance against unem-
ployment. sickness ard death, sug-
gested by Secretary Hoover doesn't
appear to please the soldiers.