Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-27
The Bonus Loan Veto.

President Hoover laid before the
House yesterday his reasons for re-
turning to that body the soldiers bonus
loan bill without his approval. His
message was an excellent statement of
the situation. With careful emphasis
but without heat the Chief Executive
made his, appeal to the reason and to
the patriotism of the Congress. He set
forth clearly that whatever aid Congress
might provide for the veterans of the
World War should go to those who are
disabled and to those who are at present
in need because of the depression and
the drought. The House gave the
Presidents veto message no considera-
ton whatever. Reason, patriotism and
craftsmanship apparently weigh little
when votes, or actions expected to gain
votes, are in the balance. Although
under the House rules an hour may be
used In debate of a measure vetoed by
the Chief Executive and the veto
message, barely ten minutes elapsed
between the conclusion of the reading
of the Presidents message and the be-
ginning of the roll call. On that roll
ride the veto and pass the bill notwith-
standing the Presidents disapproval.
The veto message will be given fuller
consideration beyond the confines of the
House Of Representatives.
The Chief Executive in his message
said: THE sole appeal made for the
reopening Of the bonus act is the claim
that funds from the National Treasury
should be provided to veterans in dis
tress as the result Of the drought and
business depression" Majority Leader
T1lson, rising in the House to address
himself to the veto message, offered, If
the veto were sustained, to move to
suspend the rules and pass Immediately
limiting the proposed loans to men who
were out Of work and in distress. The
only response to his proposal came from
Representative Connery of Massachu-
sets, Democrat, and himself vet
eran Of the World War. Mr.. Connery
declared that it was hard for him to
believe that the gentleman from Con-
necticut, Mr.. Tilson, wants to make
the American soldier who served his
country on the field of battle prove
that he Is q pauper before he gets
his loan" This statement was greeted
with applause from men anxious to
curry favor with the veteran voters.
President Hoover In his message took
cognizance of this charge that to ask
a veteran TO show that he was in need
would place him in the pauper class.
He denied that this would be the case
and added: ION the contrary, veterans
IN need are and should be a preferred
class, that a grateful country would
be proud to honor with its support"
The breach OF a fundamental
principle in this proposal" said the
President, as the requirement of the
Federal Government TO provide an
enormous sum Of money to a vast ma
jority who are able to care for them
selves and who are caring for them
selves"
The President and those members OF
Congress who have supported him in this
opposition to the bonus loan bill have
made their case. They stand for aid
TO veterans, disabled or in distress be-
cause Of the economic situation.
Ranged against them are those mem
bers Of Congress who wish to give this
aid TO all veterans, in distress or af-
fluent, out Of work or with well pay
ing jobs. The country in the end
viii Judge between the two camps. The
veterans themselves are likely to view
with some measure Of contempt the
Congress, even though It seek their
favor at the polls