New-York tribune., 1922-02-28
.MOndclI Asks
Bonus Delay
To Get Cash
Continued from oHuo crs,

them" said Mr. Fordncy, "but un-
dcrstsnd that they will be in our hands
within from thirty to sixty days.
Tho suggestion was made day 70
the WAYS and Means Committee in a
letter from Representative John Philip
Hill. Republican. Of Maryland, that all
forms of payment except the cas- n
bonus be eliminated from the bill.
Later, in q discussion on the floor with
Representative Longworth, hc de
clarcd TINT Congress- should prepare to
oay virtually all the bonus money IN
cnph.
An investigation in Baltimore
showed. ne snid, that at least 9b per
cent Of the war veterans would demand
cash and he voiced his belief that the
same condition would apply every
where. fir. Hills letter said:
"The cost Of all plans except that of
actual cash paymcnta is entirely prob
lcm atical md ranges from the estimate
OF $2,50O .O0O, 900 to various sums rang
ing around $4,000 600. 900.
'Thc adoption OF all except an actual
cash payment VIII lend to enormous nd
mini strative expenses entuiled upon the
national government for period OF
years, increasing the dangers Of bu-
rcaucracy as we'll az adding enormous
additional expenses.
Pay 1t As Debt In Cash
"rhc only reason for paying The sol
dicr bonus s to adjust compensation
received by cx-setvice people in com
pnrison with industrial workers during
the var The ao-callcd bonus has its
only logical and fair foundation upon
tho basis OF debt owed. It is not a
grntuity, nor is it form Of pens ion; It
should be treated frankly as debt and
paid in cash, which is the only certain
way for the government and the cheap
est way for the government
Ianford MacNidcr, national com
loandcr Of the American Legion, called
ct the White House TO-DAY to discuss
the bonus with the President. Mac
Nider had not yet received reply
TO thc telegram he sent the President
several days ago in which he demande
that the adjusted compensation
legislation for ex-soldiers be passed a
once. It was said by Legion Officials
to-day that the national commander de
cided It might be we'll TO come TO the
capital and receive in person reply
TO his tclegrom.
This morning the President was un
able to see MacNider, so congestec
was the formers cngagement list
i George Z. Christian, secretary to the
President, informed MacNider that the
/ Preside Mt could rot see fim this morn
! in4. but that he would aotify Mac
Nider later in the day if an oppor
tunity for conference presented itself
Late this afternoon Secretary Christian
Informed MacNider that the President
J would see HIM at 20 o'clock tomorrow
morning.
No As,ront intended
Some Legionnaires. on canning taa
the President did rot zee MacNdel
this morning, assumed that the Pres
dent deliberately refused 70 see th'
Legion head. 1t was made clear a
the White House tina. nothing coule
be further from the truth. The Presi
dent literally vas unable to gee an.
one in addition TO the number aIread
on his engagement list.
MacNider said at the White Hous'
that the Legion was opposed to a.,
+ further delay IN cnacting bonus legs
lation and that he was here TO tell tn.
Pres dent He reiterated that the Le
gion would not be drawn into am dis
: cussions OF ways and means for rails
ing the money. He emphasized the fac
that the Legion's interest cente9c,
on J in the speedy passage Of the lsgis
I.+