The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-09-19

Especial Dispatch to The ReformerD
Copyright 1922.
WASHINGTON, Sept. l9.-Treasury
officials yesterday prepared the data
which President Harding will transmit
to congress in vetoing the bonus bill
which has Just been passed by both
houses.
The President Will contend that in
principle the bonus is not undeserved.
but that America cannot afford to pay
it at this time Hanford MacNider,
commander Of the American Legion and
his legislative committee. asked Nh.
Harding for u final opportunity to pre-
sent their views before he takes action
and this was readily granted. But the
Presidents mind Is made up-facts and
figures furnished by Secretary Mellon
have long ago persuaded MIR. Harding
that this was an inOppOrtune time to
increase government expenditure. Very
little that is new in the way of argu-
ment NAV be expected in the veto mes
sage. The situation hasn't changed
much since Mr. Harding wrote Chairman
Fordney of the house ways and means
committee that unless a sales tax was
levied the legislation should be post
poned.
The only Grange in the situation
really is the added uncertainty about
the collection of interest from European
powers on the war debt. Originally.
it was contended that in spite Of APP
parent deficits this year in government
finance. the income from foreign cOun-
tries would be Il material factor in
making possible the payment OF ad-
justed compensation to soldiers. While
Great Britain is paying some interest
on the war debt the negotiations thus
far between the American funding com
mission and the allies have not pro
crossed fayorably. On TOP of that the
deficit for the coming year is greater
than anticipated. 1t was at first est
mated at $500. 100000 but there are
signs that it will grow larger.
Not Politically Relished.
From political angle the situation
is not reIished either by the administra-
ton which opposes the bonus OF by the
members of congress who have voted ion
it. President Harding's veto will hurt
the Republicans at the poIls-the soldier
vote insofar as it. Is in favor of the
bonus will not feel kindly toward Re
publican candidates. though, to be sure
individuals in congress who fought fOl
the bonus Will not lose a chance to EN-
phasize how energetically they tried t.
get the bonus through.
Mr.. Harding viii take full RESPONSE
bilitv for the stOpDage of bonus legisla
ion at this time. He feels that the Re
publican party will he injured muel
more extensively if the deficit IS IN
creased through the bonus. He will tT'
to assuage the disaDDointment of tn
soldiers by stating his sympathy will
their desires. HG publicly pledged him
self to work for a bonus when he was
candidate i'm the presidential primarle
in Ohio. But as Mr.. Harding has him
self remarked since then. he did no
specify the exact time when he wOult
approve such legislation.
Will Bob Up Again.
So the veto by the President canno
be construed as the end of all bOnu
legislation It will bob up again. AM
probably it viii come up before the mex
presidential election. For the presen
session of congress and the coming shor
session. the bonus Is probably side
tracked unless there should he some TN
expected changes in the lineup when tn
bill is submitted to the senate and hOuS
for a test to determine whether a two
thirds vote can be marshalled to Overrld
the presidential veto. The count O
noses shows n slight advantage in favn
of the opponents of the bill. The vet
message j. counted upOn to streDgthe
the onDositiOn and make it difficult 70
some members to vote against the Pres
dent. EmbarraSmentS galore are IN SlOT
for members of CONGRESS- no matter wha
happens. Many of them will ask Renut
lican Su0nort on the ground that the
stood bv the President in his entire az
ministration. If they should vot
against him or the bonus, they wi
weaken that argument. and place. thcu
selves in the awkward position of bein
required to defend their own vote an
nv imulicatiOn criticize the party leade
That's why the bonus issue is nc
relished nv ANYBODY in the Renuhl;ca
ranks. The President is convinced. how
ever, it is better politics to veto the bi
than sign it.