Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-10
Question Will Be Fought Out
At Party Conference-Bonus
Bloc Undecided on Offensive
Suggested Plan of Tax Cut
And Bonus Also Not Favor
ed BY Leaders

Washington. Jan. 9.-Rcpublican
leaders of the House not only are OPP
posed to consideration of the soldiers
bonus ahead of tax legislation but be-
lieve it unwise to commit House Re-
publicans to the enactment Of bo-
nus bill at this session OF Congress.
This attitude became known today
as bonus foes and friends perfected
their plans for tomorrow nights par
ty conference on taxation and the bo-
nus. As they Unanswered for advan-
tage. the revenue question bobbed up
in the Senate. half dozen senator's
Joining in the discussion.
On the House. side members Of the
tomorrow nights conference called
with the avowed purpose of bringing
about a showdown on the bonus, were
undecided, in the face Of opposition of
organization leaders to their plans. as
to what tactics they would employ.
The group had intended to offer a
resolution instructing the ways and
means committee to report the Nc
measure now under committee consid-
Grafton. Announcement by represent
ativc Longworth. the Republican load
er. that he would counter with pro-
posal that the committee complete its
consideration OF the tax bill and re-
port II before taking up the bonus
question and his confidence that he
would have enough votes to approve
this program, was followed today by
the statement by some members of tho
war veterans group that they might
not carry out their original intentio
Representative Fish of New York,
one of the leaders in the former serv-
ice mems bloc. is understood to be
prepared to offer a motion at the con-
ference that the Republican member
ship of the House record itself as be-
lieving passage of bonus bill would
not be Incompatible with tax reduc-
ton and bonus legislation at this ses-
sion.
This proposal. however. does not
meet with the approval of Mr. Long
worth and other leaders. who declared
they thought the House Republicans
should not pledge themselves TO the
passage of any legislation. The Re-
publican leader reiterated that he
would press his resolution. providing
for priority for the tax BILL to vote
in the conference regardless of pro-
posaIs offered by bonus proponents.
In support of the contention of Mr.
Fish that adjusted compensation pay
ments could be financed If tax revision
proposals of the treasury were carried
TITO effect. Representative Andrew, Re
publican. Massachusetts,. made public
statement tonight which asserted
that estimates of the treasury showed
that this was impossible.
The ways and means committee pro-
cecded with its consideration of the
tax bills admin strative features today
without making any material changes
in the treasury draft. Chairman Green
said that tomorrow vote would be
taken as to whether his resolution,
proposing a constitutional amendment
to prohibit issuance OF tax exempt Sc
curities should he favorably reported
Once this question is disposed of,
the committee will turn to the provis-
ions of the tax bill which would au-
thorize the creation of n board of tax
appeals. This board would be COM
posed of not less than seven nor more
than rs members, to he appointed by
the secretary Of the treasury. with
out Senate confirmation, for 10-year
terms at salaries of $4,000 each. Many
OF the provisions of the bill. Mr.. Green
explained, are contingent on the es-
Establishment Of this board. and If II
Ia no. created they will have to be re-
written,