The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-04-20
BONUS TAX MAY
GIVE TREASURY
NICE SURPLUS
Million Dollar Balance May
Be in Treasury if Levy
Continues in 1923

North Dakota may have a treasury
surplus of almost Sl,OOO,0OO when
the twcntyfirst Legislative assembly
meets in 1929 if the one-mill tax for
the state soldiers bonus is contin-
ued through 1928.
The estimate, though unofficial,
is based on the probable cost OF the
soldiers bonus during the next two
years. Although it is estimated that
10000 men were eligible for the state
bonus only 26.676 applications have
been received today and only few
additional claims are expected.
A recent announcement by the ad-
jutant generals office said that on
April the claims paid totaled 3D.
$50 and that he expects to reach or
pass the $4,000 mark during the year
1927.
1000 Claims Left
Unless an avalanche Of new claims
is received before July /, when the
time for making applications for the
bonus will expire, there will be less
than 1000 claims to be paid.
For the last several years the one
mill tax has yielded about 81 100000
and this sum has paid about 5000
claims annually. On this basis there
would be Il treasury surplus OF about
100000 by the end of 1928.
Two additional factors may change
the situation slightly. One is the
fact that delinquent tax collections
may increase the surplus and another
is the fact that large number OF
unprotected claims already arc on
file. The law effective July l pro
vidcs that no new claims will ebc
accepted after that date but sets
AZ. ut
claims already filed. The adjutant
generals office does not look for
many new claims, expressing the be-
lief that most of the persons listed
rs eligible who have not received
II North Dakota bonus already have
received Il bonus from another state.
Claims totalng about 100000 arc
being held up because their status
has not been definitely determined.
in each case some question OF
law or fact has arisen to hold ny
the payment and final disposition Of
these eases may be held up until the
regularly accepted cases are paid.
Has Final Say
A recent decision of the supreme
court held that the adjutant general
rs the final authority on whether or
not any claim should be accepted for
payment. His action in rejecting one
ease was challenged but the cour,
held that the law creating the sol
dcrs bonus fund made the adjutant
general the final authority for ac.
ccpting or rejecting claims and that
the courts have no right to issue
orders regarding them.
1t is possible, however, that The
adjutant general may ask the courts
In on ia n classes nj
eases. prcferring to obtain judicia
advice before taking final action.
In accordance with the spirit Of thu
law he wants to reject no claim which
is just and legal, Adjutant Genera
4. A. Fraser said. He wants to dt
everything possible to insure ex-scrv
ice men and their families or, il
the case Of dead veterans, their liv
ing relatives, every opportunity t,
collect the money due them. On thu
other hand he has no desire to pa!
out money to a claimant who is no
justly and legally entitled to it.
Some Apply In Two States
Comparison Of the claims filed il
the adiutant generals office will
those in the files of bonus bureau
of other states, shows that SOM
veterans applied for a bonus in NOR
than one state. In such cases al
arrangement was made between tn
two states as to which should pa
the claim.
The problem Of how much money
if any, would be available above tn
requirements to pay the soldier
bonus was discussed in detail dur
ing the legislative session but tn
solons felt it would be best to d
nothing which would hamper pay
ment Of the bonus claims ut the ear
liest possible date.
On the basis Of present estimate:
however, it is believed here that
may be possible to reduce the Ia
levy in 1923 for bonus purposes OIL
failing that. to accumulate u surplu
for disposition by the 1929 lcgi;
laturc.