Arizona republican., 1922-02-18

Breaking into the thick Of a row
over charges by Representative Gar
ner Of Texas, ranking Democrat OF
the committee, that the bill was be-
in framed secretly with the aid OF
representatives OF the legion, Mr..
Fordney shouted to the Democratic
side that the Republicans did not
deem II proper to seek advice on the
bonus from those unalterably op-
posed 10 IL. While there was no 9th
er reference 10 the bonus on the floor.
bonus talk swirled through the corri-
dors and for the time being discus.
sions OF plans for cutting the army
and navy appropriation bills was for
gotten. Republican members OF the
ways and means committee. meeting
morning and afternoon, went over de-
tails Of the proposed bill. without
giving any intimation as TO the exact
form of the measure 20 be reported.
The calling in OF John T. Taylor. tho
vice chairman of the legion's legisla-
tive committee. and Richard Jones,
representing the Veterans OF Foreign
Wars. provoked a protest from Mr..
Garner and his appeal that the house
step in and prevent the Republicans
meeting in secret with witnesses IA
voring the measure, without admit
ing Democratic members to listen, at
least, TO the deliberations.
Bonus Passage Certain
How far sentiment was swinging
TO the sales tax as a means OF rais-
Ing revenue for the bonus as adyo-
Gated by President Harding. was the
subject of unending discussion among
members. II was evident on all sides.
however. that the Republicans were
determined TO put the bill through
the house regardless of what might
happen to II in the senate. In the
event the bin is In shape for consid-
GRAFTON by a Republican caucus with
in the time set by Mr. Fordney the
leaders said it would be passed prior
to March 4
There is no power I'm the house
70 head off the soldier bonus now"
said the Republican leader. which
seemed to be the view OF most mem
bers insisting upon its early pas
sage
Democrats opposing the measure
insisted. on the other hand that OBJ
lection 10 the sales tax was so strong
IN some quarters that II that plan
feated
But IL the sales tax method is re-.
sorted 10, IL was said President Hard.
ing would view with favor a tax on
production rather than on general re-
tail sales. The executive was said 10
favor this form. IL was said. at the
White House. for II was believed
the simplest form OF this tax ard
would avoid problems Of exemption
which probably would arise IN case
a general retail sales tax was de-
cided on.
Oppose Sales Tax
Opposition 10 the sales tax. how
ever was expressed in several quar-
ters today. r. G. Atkeson. Washing
ton representative of the National
grange. characterized IL as designed
TO shift the burden OF taxation from
those most able to pay It. 10 those
least able to pay" and Samual Com
pers. president OF the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor, declared IL would
work "an injustice upon the whole
people"
Mr.. Atkeson outlined his views in
a letter to Chairman F'ordney in
which he said the grange had sug-
gested the excess profits tax FOR the
bonus and that il il was found in
expedient. "a tax should be levied
which will not be added to the cost
OF living OF the millions with limited
incomes"
Mr. Gompers gave his views IN
formal statement in which he said
that organized labor Stands 100 per
cent for the soldiers bonus. but op-
poses amy form ot retail. sales or
tax TO raise revenue 10
pay the bonus or for any other pur-
pose. The bonus. he. said. should
have the approval OF congress. but
TO create a sales tax would be 10 turn
q measure OF Justice into an imposi
ton and ar injustice upon the whole
American people"
Labor recognizes IN the proposal
10 attach a sales tax to the soldiers
adjusted compensation bill ssid Mr..
5omperS, "a subterfuge intended eith-
pr 70 defeat the bonus or 10 create r
feeling of resentmen against tha
OF the World war by plac-
ng the burden upon those least able
10 bear II, and by permitting the es-
rape of those who profiteered SO re-
entlessly during the period Of the
war and since the war"
Representative Macarthur. Repub-
ican OF Oregon. issued a statement
tonight declaring that although he
voted for the soldiers bonus bill
which passed the house two years
ago. he could not vote for q similar
measure now.
Conditions are now different" he
added, "and the American people
'annot stand the additional tax bur-
len at this time"
-------o-------~