Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-19
BONUS is EXPECTED
TO PASS IN SENATE
SOME TIME TODAY
Continued From First Page)

the New York Times Of today, assaiI-
ing the bonus bill as 1t now stands, was
read to the Senate by Senator Bing-
ham. He said that he read these edi-
torials from newspapers regarded as
Democratic, rather than selecting edi-
torials from Republican newspapers, so
as to avoid any charge Of partisanship.
He deplored any effort to make of the
World War veterans q preferred class
in this country. He said he saw no rea-
son why they should be preferred over
men who were too young to go into the
war. or too old, or who. because of dis
ability were unable to serve their coun-
try during the war
1T will be claimed" said Senator
Bingham, that the veterans who are
opposed to this bonus bill today are OPP
posed because they are wealthy or be-
cause they are not in need. I have a
letter from a Congregational clergyman
in Connecticut who served in the war
% months. 1t will not be claimed, 1
think. that Congregational clergymen
are wealthy or well fixed financially.
His letter strongly opposes the pending
bonus bill"
Veterans Urge Passage.
After reading the letter from the
clergyman, Senator Bingham said he
knew that many veteran today was
clamoring for this legislation. He said
that he had received kilograms from
many American Legion posts in Con-
necticut, asking that law be passed
providing for the payment of the face
value of the veterans adjusted compen-
sation certificates. This, said Senator
Bingham, would near an outlay of
more than $4,000, 0O0, 900 by the Gov
eminent Immediately
II am convinced" said Senator
Bingham, "that most of these reSolu-
tons were adopted by minority of the
veterans in the organizations, and by
men who were desperately in need"
The Connecticut Senator said that
the proposed reduction In the rate of
interest to be charged the veterans on
loans would act as a temptation to
borrow on the bonus certificates.
Senator Vandenberg Of Michigan, a
supporter of the bill, asked Senator
Bingham II the veterans who opposed
the pending bill, in his opinion, would
avail themselves Of the privilege of
making loans.
Senator Bingham replied that he had
no doubt many of them would, once
the law was enacted.
II know some people do not believe
in giving Christmas presents" said Sem
ator Bingham, but never heard of
any one who refused to accept a
Christmas present"
Reed and Bingham Attack Bill.
Senator Reed of Pennsylvania, like
Senator Bingham a veteran of the
World War who served overseas, also
attacked the pending bonus bill. The
Pennsylvania Senator said that able
bodied veterans of the World War had
no right to legislation which gave them
preference over other American citizens.
He said it was his opinion that the
great majority Of able-bodied veterans
did not wish this bill to pass.
Senator Reed said that the pending
bill would be against the interests of
the wives and children Of the war vet
Grams, who would have to look to the
country for aid in the future.
This country, he said, has dealt more
generously with its war veterans than
any other. He cited a list of the laws
passed for the benefit of the war vet
Grams to substantiate his statement.
He declared himself strongly in favor
of legislation to aid the disabled war
veterans.
Senator Helm Of Alabama, q sup
porter of the bonus bill, was the first
to take the floor today and advocate
the pending bill. The Senate galleries
were crowded to capacity with inter-
ested spectators, and long lines of men
and women waited in the corridors
outside the gallery for an opportunity
to gain entrance.