Arizona republican., 1922-02-17
BONUS OPPOSITION

PITTSBURG, Pa, Feb. Is. - The
Pittsburg chamber of commerce in
session today went on record as "un--
aIterablv and emphatically opposed
to the passage by congress of any
legislation providing for the payment
OF a bonus In cash or any other form,
TO able-bodied ex-soldiers or any
other class in the country"
The resolution was adopted by
large majority.
Copies OF the Presidents letter
were made available to the house ana
senate Immediately after the delivery
Of the original to Representative
Fordnay. There was brief open dis
cussion of the communication in the
senate and some in the house but It
was the chief topic Of conversation In
the cloak rooms of both houses.
Republican leaders generally with
held comment, but Representative
Garrett of Tennessee, the Democratic
leader in the house, and Representa-
tive Garner Of Texas, ranking Demo-
crat on the house ways and means
committee. issued formal statement
in which they asserted that there
has been from the beginning pur-
pose on the part re the Republicans
country, so that there may be
gradual reduction Of the taxes on
wealth."
Representative Dickinson, Republi-
can OF Iowa leader of the house
agricultural bloc. declared that Re-
publicans from western states would
fight any effort on the part Of party
leaders to have adopted a rule under
which a bonus with a sales tax pro-
vision could be put through the
house without amendment, and that
with the aid of the Democrats. they
ought to be successful.
With the bill open to amendment,
he said, there would be proposed a
tax program including a levy on gifts,
increased inheritance levies and sur
taxes, and re- enactment of the excess
profits tax. Representative Garner
said the Democrats would ic , In the
fight against the rule and also would
propose amendments carrying in
creases OF many present taxes, in
Guiding those on liquor.
Discussing the Presidents letter in
the senate, Senator Caraway, Demo-
crat Of Arkansas, declared that the
sales tax as a rich mans scheme to
avoid the burdens OF government.
"They are going to take money out
OF one pocket of the service men, !"
he continued, put it in his hands
and let him put it in the other pocket,
They'll make him pay for every uni-
form and gun he used in France"
Former service men. now members
OF the house, about a score
in number at a meeting called
soon after Mr.. Harding's letter
reached the capitol, discussed the
question OF writing a formal letter
to Senator McCumber suggesting
that enactment Of the bonus bill be
not postponed.
Opposition to any postponement OF
the legislation also was expressed by
John Thomas Taylor. vice. chairman
Of the National Legislative commit
tee of the American Legion. In q
formal statement tonight. he declared
the need for the passage of the bill
was immediate, and added:
"The Legion does not intend to be
drawn into any discussion upon any
proposed method for raising the rev.
enue to meet this obligation. AS Is
generally known, a majority OF the
members OF congress favor the imme-
liate passage OF the adjusted COM
pensation bill and we feel sure that
the injection of discussion over
revenue raising features, no matter
BY whom, will not change the senti-
ment or these legislators.