Omaha daily bee., 1922-02-18
Bonus Bill to P m'
Ready in loD;FFS' FFS'''.
Fordney Declares
Chairman Says Republicans
Not Seeking Advice From
Factions Unalterably
Opposed TO Measure.

Washington. Feb. 1.-THE out
standing development today in the
bonus legislation situation was the un-
expected announcement in the house
by Chairman Foriney OF the ways
and means committee that the boz
nus bill would be ready for pFesen-
tation TO a caucus OF house repub-
lieans within the next 10 days.
A moment after this statement
was made there was a shout IRON
the republican side Of the chamber
when the chairman, lifting his voice
TO its highest pitch. declared the sol
der measure would be passed by a
republican house.
Breaking into the thick OF a row
over charges by Representative Car
ner OF Texas. ranking democrat on
the committee. that the bill was be-
ing framed secretly with the aid OF
representatives OF the American Lc-
gion, Mr.. Fordney shouted TO the
democratic side that the republicans
did not deem il proper to seek adj
vice on the bonus from those una.-
terably opposed II.
Budget Bills Forgotten.
While there was no other refer
ence to the bonus OH the floor. boz
nus talk swirled through the cor
ridors and for the time being dis.
cussions of plans for cutting the
army and navy appropriation bills
was forgotten. Republican members
of the ways and means committee,
meeting morning and afternoon,
went over details of the proposed
bill, without giving any intima-
ton as TO the exact form OF the
measure TO be reported.
The calling of John II. Taylor,
vice chairman OF the legion's legis-
lative committee, and Richard Jones,
representing the Veterans Of For
eign Wars, provoked the protest
Of Mr.. Garner and his appeal that
the house step in and prevent re-
publicahs meeting i'll secret with wit
nesses favoring the measure, with
out admitting democratic members
TO listen, at least, to the delibera-
tions.
How Tar sentiment was swinging
to the sales tax as means OF rails
ing revenue for the bonus as advo-
Gated by President Harding, was the
subject of unending discussion
among members, 1t was evident on
all sides, however, that the republi-
cans were determined to put the bill
through the house, regardless of wha'
might happen TO it in the senate. In
the event the bill is in shape for con-
sideration by republican caucus
within the time set by Mr. Fordney,
leaders said it would be passed prior
to March A.
Favors Production Tax.
Democrats opposing the measure
insisted, on the other hand, that OBJ
lection to the sales tax was so
strong in some quarters that if that
pau VI HiSolins SOldltl pdylllCIlS
was presented squarely it might be
defeated.
But if the sales tax method is re-
sorted to it was said President Har-
ding would view with favor a tax
on production rather than on general
retail sales. The executive was said
10 favor this form, it was said at
the White House, for it was, he be-
licved, the. simplest form of lax and
would avoid problems of exemptions
which probably would arise in case
a general retail sales tax was de-
cided on.
Opposition to the sales tax pro-
posal, however, was expressed in sew
eral quarters today. T. G. Atkeson,
Washington representative of the
National Grange, characterized it as
designed to shift the burden of tax
alton iron those most able to pay it,
to those least able to pay and
Sanue' Gompers, president OF the
American Federation Of Labor, de-
cldred it would work "an injustice
IiDo1, the whole De,o1e ="