Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-14
DEBATE ON BONUS
HALTED BY DEATH
EsIick of Tennessee Fatally
Stricken During Speech
for Veterans.
Continued From First Page.)

oSCJ
ment also in the crowded gallery,
crowded with members Of the Bonus
Expeditionary Force" who had come
to hear the four-hour debate allotted
to the bill.
Mr.. Eslick was hurriedly carried into
the visitors cloak room back Of the
House chamber and DR.. Calver, official
House physician, and Representative
Swick Of Pennsylvania, also a physician,
were summoned to his side. Mean
while, several ladies, believed to be
members Of his family, who were in the
gallery, came down into the cloak room
and stayed beside hill as the two physi-
slams worked frantically over the I'M
conscious man. They resorted to in
lectlonS Of strychnine to stimulate heart
action. They realized, however, the fu-
tility Of saving his life. Within 10 min
utes he was pronounced dead.
Madden Death Recalled.
Representative Martin Madden, Re-
publican leader. Of Illinois was the last
member OF the House to die at the
Capitol. He was stricken about four
years ago in the Appropriations Com
mittee room.
Right after Mr.. Eslick was removed
from the chamber the debate on the
bonus bill continued for a brief period
Members apparently we're unaware Of
the serious condition of the stricken
man. AS soon as his death was made
known all speaking abruptly halted.
Mrs. Eslick. the members wife, was
seated in the spectators gallery and
saw her husband collapse to the floor.
During the confusion she left the gal
lery and hurried to the cloak room,
where she remained beside him to the
end. She was accompanied by several
woman friends who had come to see
the spectacle of the House debate.
Under the watchful eyes OF several
veterans crowding the gal
leries. Democratic leaders had served
notice they intended to keep the House
in session until final vote. After four
hours Of general debate, amendments
to the Patman new-money bill were
to be considered.
As on yesterday. when the House
voted to consider the issue, the Capitol
was crowded with bonus marcherS, who
filled all available space in the galleries
long before the IL o'clock meeting hour.
Just before the House met Represent
alive Rainey, the Democratic leader,
told newspaper men the bonus IS
licked"
1T will pass the House, but there
are not enough votes for the necessary
two-thirds to pass it over a presidential
Veto" Rainey said The vote against
pected'
Senate leaders continued to claim SIS
majority of the Sc members of
that branch-against the legislation.
President Hoover has promised q veto
If it reaches the White House.
Representative Vinson, Democrat, Of
the first speaker for the BILL
filed the minority report supporting it
from the Ways and Means Committee,
which rejected the full payment plan,
IA to IL.
opponents of this measure" Vinson
said, SAY it will bring US to the brink
Of havoc and chaos.
Hope to Reach Root.
I'VE deny that. We say that through
out this Congress the legislation en-
acted has been a superficial treatment
Of the disease.
1T IS the solemn and sincere hope
OF its sponsors that this bill goes to the
roots of the disease. We believe it is
the only measure brought upon the
floor that meets the fundamental basis
of our troubles today"
Vinson commended the gold reserve
would justify currency expansion Of
So. 500 100000.
Crisp of Georgia, acting chairman of
the Ways and Means Committee,
opened for the opposition. He said.
Il cannot vote for this legislation
because believe 1t will injure the
country We all love.
These adjusted service certificates are
not due until 1915. Today there are
hundreds Of thousands of citizens who
have paid-up insurance policies who
would like to get cash, but cannot be-
cause the contracts are not due.
II believe 1t fallacy to say the Gov
eminent can issue $4,000 ,000, 900 to pay
the veterans without additional taxes.
If I believed that. I never would have
voted to put $1,118000, 900 in additional
taxes on the American people.
II know this bill is going to pass the
House. What it's fate will be in the
Senate I do not know, but do know
that If 1t reaches the President it will
be vetoed and I also know it cannot
pass over veto"
This remark brought applause from
the Republican side.
Crisp closed with the statement that
he considered "the sacrifice Of my polit-
ical life Is but small thing to protect
the thousands Of suffering people in
this country.
Representative Fish, Republican. OF
New York said the veterans are under
"a double Misrepresentation" thinking
that "the Government owes them
money and that the Congress has given
50, 900 100000 to big business and IN
dustry through the Reconstruction
Finance Corporation"
The Government owes nothing 10
the able-bodied veteran until 1916" F1sh
said, adding that the Reconstruction
Finance Corporation simply was max
ing loans Of money it will get back
not giving it away, as We would II we
paid the bonus"
Chairman Byrns Of the Appropfia-
lions Committee insisted the pending
bill doesn't propose to take one single
dollar out Of the Treasury or add one
single penny to the Indebtedness OF the
Government"
Your circulating medium, or a great
portion Of 1t, Is now in the vaults OF
the great banks Of the country, and
what we need Is more of 1t flowing
from hand to hand" Byrns said.
Others Join Debate.
Representative Woodruff Repubn-
CAM, Michigan, said:
If you can start the printing presses
to pay the bonus" he said, you can
do 1t to run the Government"
Representative Cochran. Democrat.