The New York herald., 1922-02-25
NATIONS BUSINESS
MEN AGAINST BONUS
L. s. Chamber Of Commerce
. Referendum Shows 72 Per
Cent. Opposed.
MAC NIDER REQUEST MET
Legion Commander Admits
Fairness of VOte-Raid
Propaganda Beaten.
MAC NIDER REQUEST MET
Special Dispatch to TIE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. O.. Feb "a I

Special Dispatch to TIE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. g.. Feb. "a.
Seventy-two per cent. Of the men,
bership of the Chamber of Commerce
Of the United States in referendum
have voted against the soldiers bonus
bill pending in Congress.
AS the majority against the project
is In excess OF the two-thirds neces-
sary to commit TIE chamber to any
policy itself in opposition to all legis-
lation that proposes the payment o.
financial gratuities to able bodied ex-
service men, but will urge that "ade-
quate relief for the disabled still re-
mains the first step"
The fairness of the referendum was
attested by the commander of the
American Legion on January II.
In announcing the decision of the
membership Of the Chamber throughout
the country Elliot III. Goodwin, who con-
Quoted the referendum. said:
Leaders Of the American Legion
! Lad expressed TO officers of our orgaEi-
cation the opinion that the action taken
by delegates at our last two annual
meetings In opposing the cash bonug did
net report the membership as a whole.
Chief Reason for Referendum.
This was The chief reason which in
spired the officers of the National Cham
ber of Commerce to undertake the refer
tndum. the result OF which was an
no lnced to-day"
The referendum, besides calling for a
vote on cash bonus and certificate plan,
| asked an expression by the Chambers
| membership on three other propositions
contained In the so-called veterans bill
pending in Congress. The result as shown
by the ballot puts the Chamber on rec
ord for national system for reclama-
tion for the benefit Of ex-service men
and for vocational education for ex-
service rlen. two-thirds majority.
necessary TO commit the Chamber was
lacking on the question of governmental
appropriations to enable ex-service men
to build homes. The propositions sum-
mitted and the vote on each follows:
/. Do you favor a national system
OF reclamation to be initiated through
| adequate Federal appropriations and
to be carried out for the purpose of
affording ex-seTvice men an oppor-
tunity to cultivate the roll?
For. 1,249; against. 452 carried.
2. DO you favor national legisla-
tion and appropriations to enable ex-
service men to build homes?
For. 1929; against, 6Ss; no deci-
sion.
3. Do you favor national legisla-
service men to obtain vocational odu-
cation?
For, 1873; against. 316 carried.
| 4. Do you favor national legislation
| for a general bonus, whether paid In
cash Immediately or with payment
deferred through use of certificates?
For. 467; against. 1921; opposed.
Extent of voting.
Votes were cast by business crganiza-
tions in 375 cities, IS States, in the
District OF Columbia. Alaska and
Hawaii and by American chambers of
commerce in Cuba and Mexico. More
than 70 per cent. of the votes cast
| were In opposition to the cash bonus.
| Both classes OF the national chamber $
membership. local chambers of COM
merce and trade associations recorded
themselves against the bonus by a
more than two-thirds majority.
| OF the thirty-eight referenda that
have been taken by the chamber the
number of organizations voting against
the bonus was the largest recorded. with
the exception of three. More than the
I average number of smaller organiza-
tions cast ballots.
For the last two years." said Mr..
Goodwin's statement, 1.-The national
chamber has advocated adequate pro-
vision and care for mentally or ply
slcally disabled veterans. and after that
constructive measures for the healthy.
uninjured veterans. such provisions TO
include vocational training. home build
ing and land settlement aid. The state
Continued on Page Two.