The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-03-10

The Governor said:
I'm exercising my constitutional
privilege, I have refused to accept the
bonus bill for the following reasons:
Economic Question
Il This is primarily an economic
question. I am certain the people Of
Indiana are in no mood, or in any
financial condition, to stand the bur
den of taxation that would be i'm
posed to take care of the $40 ,000. 900
to $25, 600, 900 that would have to be
raised to meet the obligations pro-
Ylded for in this act
Second: I seriously doubt the con
stitutionaHty of the act Section %,
Article l, Of the State constitution ex-
pressly says: No law shall be passed,
the taking effect of which shall be
made to depend upon any authority
except as provided in the constitu-
ton.
4 don't think therefore, that #
is competent for the legislative body
to provide for the taking effect of
q statutory enactment upon the CON
tingency Of the approval of q ma
jority Of the electors at a general
election.
Election Inadvisable
TN view of these facts, I think it
inadvisable 10 incur the expense and
suffer the turmoil and strife that
would be engendered in presenting
the matter TO the voters, which after
all might not amount to anything in
the final analysis Of the questions.
80 The proposed act calls for a
referendum. which is not recognized
/ by the constitution and becomes ef-
fective without additional legislations.
This is purely a legislative matter,
/ hence why not let the Legislature
decide the question as it is empowered
to do?
| "Fourth-The proposed bill is not a
measure for the injured or needy, but
la general bill. a large part Of which
would go to men who are not asking
for it and who placed their patriotism
above any money consideration.
The amount each would receive
would in my opinion afford bat little
lasting good TO any Of its benefciaries
| and yet would add greatly increased
| burdens to our taxpayers.
Should Be Federal Matter
Is. Our soldiers OF all our wars
! were Federal soldiers and should be
dealt with by our Federal Govern
ment To my mind there should be
no discrimination in the treatment of
! these men and this, therefore, should
be a Federal matter.
There is little doubt but the next
! Congress win take up the bonus
| question and believe we should let
| the matter rest at this time. pending
/ the action of Congress, which CON
venes over a year in advance of the
| Indiana Legislature.
Should Congress not take this ac-
ton. then the next Assembly could
give the matter consideration, which
is almost as soon as positive action
could be taken in any event"
The bin provided that veterans Of
the World War and Of the Spanish
American war should receive SO for
/ each month they were in the service,
to a maXiumn Of $3.50.
Called for Referendum
The bill was to have gona to a ref
erendum in 1924 and, if approved by
/ the voters, to become effective in
/ 1927. The money was to have been
raised by a property tax and a poll
tax.
Attorney General Z. s. Lesh had
advised that the bill be signed.
The bonus was sponsored originally
by the Veterans Of Foreign Wars and
by members of the American Legion.
1t was introduced in the House early
in the session and passed without
much difficulty.
In the finance committee Of the Sen
ate the measure was held up until
! several demands were made that It
be reported out on the floor. When
! Id