The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1922-03-09
WASHINGTON LETTER
WARRBLING ON THE BONUS
By J. e. JONES.
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There is a conspicuous lack of
starch in the Congressional support
of the soldiers bonus. In fact the
soldiers bonus has become sort
of ghost that jumps out from dark
corners on black nights and scares
certin Congressman out of their boots
President Harding insists that the
only way to "get the money" for
the bonus is by reenacting the sales
taxes. Congressman have lived
through the sales tax period, and
most of them seem to think that the
country would have to be chloroform-
ed to stand for it again.
The American Legion is pressing
its campaign for the bonus, and Com
mander MacNider is insistent on
speedy action. Congress is pretty
we'll divided between those who be-
lieve in the bonus and want to pass
it; and those who do not believe in
it and want it killed. Class three
is likewise numerous, and it consists
of Congressman whose districts are
close and who are willing to do the
popular thing" on the soldiers bon
us, or any other old thing" that will
make them votes.
The President insists that if Con-
gress passes the bonus bill that il
must provide the money to pay for
it. So far, every proposal to raise
this money has met with stern dis
approval from the White House
Congress is like the man who mort
gagged his house and land, his crops
and machinery, his livestock and
household furniture, and then was
prevented from placing his wife and
children in escrow. 'That is the fix
we are in," Congress is telling the
ex-service men. To which the Legion
replies: ''You are talking bunk.
If Congress wanted to have billion
to fight with, the money would be
raised in a week. You can do the
same thing in this bonus matter
Strange differences of opinion like
this are not unusual in Washington
BONUS LIKELY TO
BE DEFERRED
1t must no be inferred that the
Congressman who see "spooks" when
ever tie bonus is mentioned are all
in favor of the legislation. Far
from :. lie very fact that they
are uncertain results in all of the OPP
posing forces centering their infu-.
ence upon them. The opposition to
the soldiers bonus is tremendous
The greatest argument of this opposi
ton is that taxes are too high.
Thousands of people who are in the
midst of figuring out their income
taxes are dropping their problems
long enough to write their Congress
men to demand retrenchment and
lower taxes. In fact a majority OF
the people outside of those who will,
gain direct benefits from the bonus
are opposing the legislation. The
wiHy-nilly Congressman figures out
that some of these opponents of the
measures will forgive him if he
votes for the bonus, but that the ex-
service men never will. And SO
"willy-nilly" is apt to be found with
the supporters who is for the bonus
because he believes in it. The pow
er of the two elements is almost
but not quite-enough to put through
a bonus bill. However, the big
"but" is unanswered-"But, where
is the money coming from" AL
other assets having been pledged, the
bonus supporters have suggested the
proceeds from the foreign debts.
"But," again, these are indeed
shadowy millions, and it is very
doubtful whether they could be de-
pended upon for so good a purpose
as a bonus.
Representative Mondell is the Re
publican leader of the House, and
Representative Fordney is chairman
of the Ways and Means Committee.
They are in short, the authorities
who speak for that branch of Con-
gress. The other day they came
from the White House, and Mr.. Mon
dell stopped to tell the reporters that
he had concluded that Congress
should wait awhile before passing the
bonus bill, and that little delay
might serve "to clear the Skies" He
explained unanimously, all to the
effect that the Government might
have better condition in its finances
later on.
Facts weight more than enthusi-
asm, and hope. All of these facts
lead to the belief that the optimism
of ex-service men is poorly founded;
and most cautious observers who
study the Washington situation and