Evening star., 1932-09-25
MOVE THREATENS
VETERANS EXPENSE
U. S. Chamber Stand Seen as
New Evidence of Com.
ing Fight.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

The action of the Chamber of Com
nerce CT the United States in going
On record for a repeal of non-service
disability allowances and other pay
ments to veterans which are not con-
nected with war, is part of national
movement aimed at an economy OF more
than $3.50 00O, 900 in the Federal budget
For long time the argument here
against economies in Government gen.
orally has been that the veterans took
one-fourth of the whole budget. namely,
about a billion dollars. and that politi-
cally the American Legion, Veterans
of Foreign Wars and other groups OF
ex-service men were powerful enough
TO prevent Congress from repeating any
Of the existing legislation. In fact
the immediate payment of the bonus,
amounting to about two and a half bill
lion dollars. has been agitated for the
last year on the theory that Congress
ultimately would not dare to refuse
this plea
Business Men Rally.
Now it appears that the business mer
Of the couetry who have been talk
ing about excessive expenditures by the
Federal Government and the genera
rise in the cost of Government are get
ting behind various movements which
look to the reduction of nearly a hall
billion in veterans expenditures.
Up to now business mems organiza.
tions have not been politically power.
ful because of the small number ol
votes they command. Now. however
having taken an interest in the prohi.
bitlon controversy and discovered how
political power can be welded, they
are beginning to believe that if the
bonus issue can be carried into every
congressional district they can defeat
members of Congress who vote for cash
payment or who refuse TO vote for Q
repeal of some of the present legislation
Organizations like the Nationa
Economy League. headed by veterans
like Admiral Sims and Admiral Byrd
are active in enrolling members for the
purpose of fighting what they believe tt
be excessive demands by veterans. The
Economy League has indicated the
veterans expenditures can be cut ma
terially.
At the moment, the veterans have
the greater political power-at Least
there is no way of telling the extent
OF 1t until it is challenged Severa
members of Congress who voted against
the bonus at the last session have beer
renominated by their respective parties
and this is being pointed to as a reason
for believing that with adequate edu-
cation on the subject, public opinion
will swing toward the economy side
OF the argument, especially as the bur.
den Of taxation begins to pinch.
Swing Already Felt.
1t already has swung to the extent
OF routing out some existing ofice
holders. The tax question is believed
to be one Of the principal reasons why
the La Toilette dynasty in Wisconsin
was overth-own.
Both President Hoover and his op-
ponent, Gov. Roosevelt, are pledged to
economy. The Democratic platform
comes out for a billion-dollar cut in
Federal expenses and against allow
ances for disabilities not connected with
the war. Before the end of this cam
paign, it is unlikely that the bonus will
be defended by any Of the principal.
on the political stage, and once the
presidential election is over, the effort
to organize sentiment against member.
of Congress who vote for further grants
to veterans will begin in earnest.
1t will be conspicuous test In politi.
cal strength. For generations the Civi
War veterans held the balance Of power
at the polls. Since then other organized
minorities have learned how to sway
elections. The bonus fight will not b.
over in single session or in a year
1t will grow in intensity during thu
next four years.
tcopyright. 1881