New Britain herald., 1924-05-23
STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
 Action of the state Chamber of Commerce convention, in session ir Bridgeport, when it refused to censor Senators Mclean and Brandegee for their action in supporting the adjust ed compensation bill. now a law, is noteworthy, but not particularly com mandatory. The Chamber, should not. in our opinion, take it upon it. self to tell senators how to vote, or criticize them for voting as they see fit. The wonder of it is that reso- lution such as the one submitted was introduced in a public gathering of men most distinctly of one class. Everyone is perfectly familiar with the fact that the majority Of Chamber Of Commerce members are ayerse to the honus-most of them, we all sus- pect, because they are jealous Of their pocketbooks. Fear Of the tax that we should have 10 face in order to pay the bill, induced actions in the past which would tend to block the bonus on the part of Chambers of Com merce generally, That action was justified. the Chamber of Commerce is just as much unit in the body polit- ic as any other organization and has right to work for it's own ends. Un- doubtedly our senators in Washington had plenty of arguments against the bonus poured into their ears by the United States Chamber Of Commerce chambers. But they also had politi- cal acumen enough 10 listen to the other side as well, something that men belonging to the State Chamber are not .any too willing to do, pre- fcrring to follow their own course or none. Tho senators made their deci- sion and stuck to it. flor better or worse" There is no reason for criti- eism, publicly voiced, by organizations such as the State Chamber.
 One of the two senators from Con necticut, NIT. Mclean. has explained, t is reported, that he favored the bonus bill because he was convinced that failure to pay a bonus would mean the loss of many votes for Coolidge in the election that is com Ing this fall. He argues that, lacking the bonus to which to point with pride" the democratic party will pile up a larger number of votes and, 1T the candidates are elected. will do more harm 10 the incomes Of the manufacturing interests, through re- duction in tariff allowing foreign competition, than the tax for the bonus would do. He has, if the re- marks attributed 10 him are correctly quoted, picked out the one argument to which the interests many of which are the moving spirits in the Cham Der Of Commerce. will prove most susceptible, an arguments for their pocketbooks. not their hearts.
 Senator Brandegee, though not so quoted. undoubtedly feels much the same as does Mir. Mclean. From s business mans standpoint we thor oughly believe there is an argument along these lines.
 Notwithstanding the statement from the senator we believe that he has been more or less sold" on ad- ,usted compensation for veterans by his heart as well as his political acu- men. Arguments that he advanced for The bonus have revealed strength that search for political advantages alone would not have loaned. His appeal for the veterans is TO lame at tempt to cater 10 what he thought was s wave of public sentiment. IL secm- cd Co lire him up squarelv with tHe bonus advocates who are advocates 1f the scheme bscause they believe inc veterans deserve recognition for their sar1ices. So much the more credit is due inc sunstor-it is roi casy 10 run contrary 10 the opinion Of the inter- .sts, many Of which suppcly the neces- ssry contributions 10 tte uaffy's cam paign funds
 Had the State Chambcr of Com mercs any sporting spirit al su the resolution Of criticism would not have been even offered. It undoubtedly did sf II could for inc past four or Hvc years t0 block legislation. fl had made is fight af perfectly proper lime to do SO. and # had lost. Nhereupon fl was time Co grin and bear ii. depeud- ing either upon The purely political 3s- J,sct of tHe situation. appealing 10 it's pockstbooks through the tsrin argu- menf. or listening t9 the sentimental aspect. The bonus is not going 10 pat