The New York herald., 1922-02-22
Continued from First Page.


imposing a manufacturers tax OF
per cent. would yield only 100000. 900,
which would not be sufficient to take
care of the bonus. Under the plan
discussed by the Secretary the tax
would be imposed on the manufac-
turer If the article were produced in
this country and on the wholesalers If
made abroad.
The Secretary renewed his objec-
tons to a sales tax and pointed out
that the cost of setting up machinery
to collect it would be extremely un-
desirable in the present state of the
national finances. He refused to COM
nit himself as to the articles against
the taxation of which there would be
the least popular outcry.
Fears Financial Confusion.
Mr.. Mellon also voiced his opposi-
ton to the suggestion that a bonus
bill be passed without providing a
definite source for financing 1t. He
said If such a measure were passed
the Ways and Means Committee would
have to find the means for financing
the proposition and that any solution
would make for confusion.
The Republican members who con-
ferred with Secretary Mellon were
Longworth. Fordney, Bacarach. Tread
way, Copley, Frear, Timberlake. Wat
son and Chandler. The Democratic
members were not invited. Repre-
sentative Longwortl, said after the
meeting that he was under the i'm
preston that some sort Of sales tax
plan would be reported to the full
committee regardless of the attitude
Of Secretary Mellon and other execu-
tive officials of the Government.
The strong opposition to the sales
tax plan to raise the bonus, the only
alternative left, according to President
Harding, was established to-day VIXEN
seventy members of the House in
thirteen States signed petition ex-
pressing their unalterable opposition
to that scheme.
| Representatives Dickinson Oowa)
Woodruff (Mich.) and Frear (Wis.)
circulated the petition, and they ex-
pressed surprise at the general op-
position to the plan among the delega-
tions of the States canvassed. The
seventy signatures to the petition were
obtained among the delegations OF the
/ following States: North Dakota,
South Dakota, Minnesota, Pennsylva-
| ot
fornia, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and
Washington.
The impudent command telegrapheo
by Commander MacNider to President
Harding unquestionably has lost q
good many votes in both houses oi
Congress for the bonus raid. 1t was
condemned by some OF the most ardent
supporters of the bonus proposition
and denounced as IAN exhibition of ar
rogance and bad taste" by members
who are against it.
In the first place, President Harding
is not member of Congress. Nc
bonus measure is yet before him. He
has agreed to the policy of keeping
his hands off legislation and refrain
ing from interfering with the legisla
ton prerogatives Of the Legislative
branch of the Government.
CongrexS Is ResentfuI.
Commander MacNider's act in de
manding that the passage of the ad
justed compensation bill be no Longer
delayed" has provoked great resent
ment. It should have been addressed
to Congress and not TO the President
The President has not decided
whether he will ignore Commando
MacNlder's ultimatum beyond ac
knowledging receipt of it or send {
reply expressing his feelings on th'
matter. The commanders unconven
tional way Of serving notice on Con
gress by way OF the President that th'
bonus raid must be put through th'
two houses found few defender!
among the most aggressive exponent!
of 1t. Regret was expressed by then