Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-08-26
MAINE SOFT COAL
SUPPLY ASSURED
BY PRIORITY ORDERS
Senate Talks
But Fails to Push
Along Bonus Bill

Washington, August 25-For two
hours today the senate heard argu-
ments for and against the soldiers
bonus BILL but it took no action on
any of the pending amendments.
Seator McCumber, republican, North
Dakota, in charge of the measure,
made an effort to get an agreement
for vote before adjournment tomor-
row, but although unsuccessful. was
hopeful that the bin could be passed
early in the coming week
Two additional amendments were
offered today by Senator Smoot of
Utah, ranking republican on the f.
nance committee. One proposes that
the amended house measure, with it's
optional bonus plans, be financed by
manufacturers sales tax, at the
rate of one half of one percent for the
first three years and one fourth of one
percent thereafter.
The other amendment was in the
nature of a substitute for the pend
ing bill with a paid up insurance plan
IN lieu of all other options, that too,
to be financed by a manufacturers
sales tax, but at the rate of one
fourth of one percent. In each case
the proposed tax would become effcc-
tive next November first and eXemp-
tons would be made in the case of
all farm products and manufacturers
doing business of less than $4,000
year.
In the debate today, Senator Reed.
republican, Pennsylvania, former
service man, declared his opposition
to the bonus, his address being his
maiden effort in the senate. He said
the plain fact was that tho country
could not afford to pay the bonus and
added that in army parlcnce, he did
not propose to pass the buck" to the
president.
Speeches in opposition to the bonus
also were made by Senators New. re-
/ publican. Indiana. and Myers. Demo-
crat, Montana, while senator Bur
sum. republican, New Mexico spoke
in support of the bonus and his
amendment, under which the veterans
would be paid in cash within the next
! five years. Senator McCumber also
| i'lii't III tilt dlSCuSSlOn 10 reply
briefly TO a statement made yesterday
by Senator Wadsworth, republican,
| New York.
| The North Dakota senator said Mr.
! NadsWorth had made it appear that
i in his address in favor Of the bonus
"Wednesday he had thought it ncces-
Saly Ito pay the soldiers A few paltry
| dollars TO retain their IoroIty''
Il never dreamed that such infer
ence could be drawn from any part
! Of my Speech" Senator McCumbeI
said. and I don't think any such
| construction can honestly be placed
on any part Of it. The senator from
New York knows as we'll as I know
that these men who answered the
call of the last war, will respond
readily in the next ono and he know
they will be just as loyal"
Declaring that the taxpayers al
ready were ovcrburdencd, Senator
Myers argued that the country was
in no condition to have "saddled''
upon it an addition burden. estimated
| he said, at from four to seven bill
lions of dollars.
| As to the payment Of the bonus
ont of the proceeds from the foreign
dbt. Senator Myers expressed the be-
| lief that it would be at least a genor-
alton before the principal Of any
part of that debt would be paid and
"many years before interest nav
mcnts reasonably should be expected.