The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1931-03-06

o,.,. bonus certificates held
,or.s... by World war veter-
ans from 22h per
cent to so per cent of their face value.
The reputation of the strongly held
views of President Hoover and Sec
rotary Of the Treasury Mellon was
decisive, the vote being 1868 to 80. The
opposition votes were all cast by Re-
publicans. Longworth's activity in be-
half of the measure was exerted in
bringing about an agreement in the
ways and means committee.
AS soon as the bill was handed up
to the senate its proponents in that
body took steps to hold up nearly all
other legislation in order TO get 1t
through before Friday night. They
were determined that it should not he
killed by a pocket veto, which would
be possible If speedy action were not
obtained. Smoot, Reed and other adj
ministration senators sought delay in
the hope of finding a compromise that
would make the measure acceptable
to the President, but in vain.
\ The bill was passed by the senate
by a vote. of ~ to ,12, all the nays be-
ing Republicans. AE
Administration leaders in both
houses admitted that there was no
hope that veto by the President
could be sustained. Secretary Mel
Ions arguments against the bill and
the figures he gave as to it's cost to
the government were vigorously dis
puted by many representatives and
senators. In the last year Andy has
lost much of his prestige as financial
prophet.
The house followed up it's passage
of the bonus loan billfby passing with
out roll calls bill authorizing the
expenditure Of $12,500,OO0 for con-
struction of veterans hospitals and
bill authorizing the expenditure of
$2,850,000 for additional facilities at
national soldiers homes, The hospi-
tai bill is designed to furnish about
$500 additional beds.
The house veterans committee re-
ported fayorably d bill for pensions
for widows and children of deceased
World war veterans. The bill. is esti-
mated to cost $18,OO0.OOO, the first
year and $l31 100000 over period
of five years. The administration has
sought to prevent action on this legis.
lation at the present session.
u NACTMENT by congress o. the In
- terror department appropriation
bill carrying the $2O.OOO,OOO drought
relief loan and its official approval by
the President removed most of the
danger of special session, despite
the controversy over the veterans
bonus loan. The passage of the COM
promise relief measure was scored as
victory for Mr. Hoover and his pol
icy Of opposition to any federal ap-
preparation that could be interpreted
as a dole. In the senate the vote on
the bill, was 81 to 49, and in the house
formal vote was not even taken on
the conference report. s
G ENATE and house conferees agreed
~ on a compromise resolution which
provides for government production,
transmission and sale of power at the
Muscle Shoals plant, as in the original
Norris resolution. That measure is
changed only in the part concerning
the nitrate plant. By the COM
promise resolution the President is
given one year to negotiate. a lease
OF the nitrate plant to private cor
poration, failing which the government
is to begin operation of the plant.
Unless President Hoover abandons
his former stand he will veto the bill.