The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-04-07
To PASS
BONUS AHEAD
Of TAX BILE
Soldier Relief Measure Is to
Be Taken Up First,
Say Leaders.
BY international News Service.

ny AmtoFnotlOmAA NEWS service.
The soldier bonus bill. after a
sleep of weeks in the Senate FL
nance Committee, crept into the
hmelight again today.
Coincident with announcement
by Senator Smoot (Rep.) Of Utah
that the tax reduction bill would
he ready to report to the Senate
tomorrow or Wednesday, soldier
bonus advocates began re-
newed drive upon the upper
chamber to have their hill given
the right Of way over the tax
measure.
Sure Of Passage.
Assured Of passage with a vote
proportionate to that by the House,
It seemed certain today that the
bonus would be disposed Of by the
Senate before the tax bill. Even
such administration leaders as
Smoot and Watson indicated they
would have to allow the bonus pref
erence because Of the strength be-
hind the drive for that measure.
Faced with this probability,
Smoot said he would bring the
bonus up for consideration in the
Finance Committee Immediately
after the tax reduction proposal is
formally laid before the Senate.
This was expected by Wednesday.
Smoot does not anticipate any
lengthy fight in the committee and
predicted the measure would be
ready for the Senate by the latter
part Of this week or the first of
next.
Want More Cash.
The chief fight on the bonus, once
1t is in the Senate will be waged
by Democrats to insert cash pro-
vision, which except in amounts OF
less than $50, was eliminated by the
House Ways and Means Committee.
AS the bill came over from the
House and as it is expected to be
reported by the Finance Commit
tee, it provides only certificate OF
paid.up insurance, which after
three years has a cash value. Dem
ocratic leaders announced they want
an amendment providing for cash
bonus payments in addition to the
insurance features.
MANY of the Administrative chief
tains will oppose a cash bonus, par
ticularly because they are DESTROYS
of cutting down the cost OF the
bonus to enable them to provide
greater slashes in the tax bill. Smoot
estimated the bonus bill in its pres
ent form will cost the Government
approximately $4,000 900, ana will
fight all moves to increase that
figure.
Debate to Be Short.
Even in the Senate the boHus &C.
bate is not expected to be extended.
Efforts will be made on all sides
to speed 1t to the White House,
where, II he follows his earlier
statements, President Coolidge will
send it back to Congress with a
veto. The House strength is be-
liebed sufficient to pass the bonus
over a veto. In the Senate the
question is conjectural. Bonus adj
vocates claim sufficient power to
override President Coolidge. Quite
as emphatically Administration
spokesman declare President Cool
idge's wishes will be adhered to.
Only t he finishing touches re-
manned to be put on the tax bill
today. These were mainly admins
trative features and contemplated
no changes in the rate schedules.
Working in secret session, Demo
Gratis virtually wound up the draft.
ing of their counter tax bill, which
will materially boost the surtax
rates adopted by the committee.
Senator Simmons. (Dem) Of North
Carolina, in charge of the bill, said
1t would be introduced stimuli
taneously with the Administration
measure.
Senator Smoot promised today the
official estimates of the committees
tax bill. Unofficial estimates indt-
Gated that the measure would re-
duce taxes from $35O.000,0O0 to
$450, 100000.