Evening star., 1924-03-22
CALLS BONUS BILL
ESTIMATE 'TOOL0W
Smoot Expresses View on
s2,I1e 600 900 Figure
Given by House.

The House estimate that its soldier
bonus bill will cost s2.l19.000,000 is
much too low" Chairman Smoot of
the Senate finance committee today
declared.
Mr.. Smoot declared the similar
paid-up life insurance bonus plan he
himself has proposed would cost ut
least $4,000. 900, 900. He has modifie ed
his original proposal. which called
for insurance policies valued on the
IA per cent interest. to make the
rate per cent. as provided by the
House. This change would cut down
the cost about $500. 900.
Agree to More Sections.
Several additional sections Of the
revenue bill dealing with technical
administrative provisions were agreed
to today by the finance committee.
Pending a motion to place the bonus
ahead of the tax bill. the latter meas
nre will be taken UP again Monday.
Republican members of the commit
tee have indicated they will ask to
give the bonus priority
Many of these administrative pro-
visions had been revised by the Treas
ury and all so far studied have been
accepted by the committee a we'll as
cepted bv the committee as well as
by the House
After more than two weeks of study
of the revenue bill and with the out
look for its passage before June |,
regarded as pessimistic by Chairman
Smoot. the committee was urged yes
terday by President Coolidge to speed
weeks will be necessary for it's con-
sideration. Mr. Smoot said, with all of
the rate schedules yet to be discussed.
While republican members of the
committee planned to sidetrack the
bill for immediate consideration of the
bonus measure, President Coolidge
again let il be known that he had not
changed his views opposing such
legislation. Inquiries as TO his atti-
tude on the bonus bill passed BY the
ment that the President would not
declare in advance of receiving legis-
lation whether he would veto it,
Visit White House.
Senator's Smoot and Curtis went Il
the White House yesterday, after a
conference OF republican members of
the finance committee. at which the
cussed. 1t was indicated the mem
bers favored taking up Immediately
the bonus bill and then rounding out
the revenue measure. which has been
before the committee for more than
two weeks.
The tax-rate schedules were not
discussed at either conference, it was
said.
Outside of the committee meeting.
It's members yesterday took occasion
to place on each other the RESPONSE
bility for delay in work on the rev.
enue bill.
Chairman Smoot declared "eKces-
siye talk for reasons best known to
the speakers has been INDUCED in
in the committee meetings with the
major section Of the bill" He again
threatened night sessions for next
week If the work was not speeded up.
Complains of Absentees-
Senator Harrison of Mississippi. a
democratic member of the committee.
also complained of delay in considera-
ton of the bill and remarked that
only two of the nine republican
ent today"
Democratic leaders generally in
dicated they would seek to have the
tax bill kept to the front in COM
mittee.
Mr. Smoot predicted that il the
revenue measure were not passed be-
fore June 1. when Congress plans to
adjourn for the national party con-
ventioIs, only recess would be taken
at that time, with adjournment put
off until such time as the tax bill was
completed.
Little time would be required to
dispose of the bonus measure. Mr..
Smoot thought, pointing out that re-
publicans were generally agreed on a
paid-up insurance bill, along the lines
of that passed by the House. Such an
agreement by the majority members
would Offset plans Of the democrats
for full cash payment option. so far
rs a committee vote is concerned.