The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-02-27
of Vets
Act to SidetraCk
Vote on the Bonus
DAILY Worker Washington Bureau,

daily Worker Washington Bure2u)
WASHINGTON, D. c., FEB. 26.-
With vote on immediate cash pay
ment OF the world war veterans adj
1usted compensation (bonus) GER
tfficates scheduled for March ~ in
the House Of Representatives, the re-
dictionary leadership OF the Veterans
Of Foreign Wars has come forward
with campaign to place the whole
question in the hands OF commits
sion who would Investigate thus
forestalling action, throughout the
life Of this congress.
Representative Carl Weideman
(Dem., Michigan, who introduced the
resolution for the Veterans of For
eign Wars, denied today that his pro-
poSal would forestall action on the
bonus payment, but officials at the
headquarters of the V. F. W., said
that is exactly" what the resolution
would do.
The resolution proposes the estab-
hShment Of a commission of Veterans
Compensation, which would be "au-
thorised and directed to investigate
and study all matters relating to the
administration Of laws and granting
benefits to veterans and dependents
Of veterans with view to for
mulating national policy with re-
spect to benefits, monetary or other
wise"
Representative Weideman said:
ut would take out Of the arena
everything except the bonus"
What then is the meaning Of the
resolutions proposal that the COM
mission study and propose a Ma
tional Policy with respect to veterans
compensation" he was asked.
THAT refers to future wars"
Weideman replied. THE commission
would set a permanent rate for COM
pensation for future wars"
Want to Pass the Buck
Nevertheless any schoolboy can
read the resolution and see that 1t
Goes propose to give the members Of
Congress an "out" from the bonus
question-one which is causing the
Administration considerable concern
right now. President Roosevelt Is alb
solutely opposed to bonus payments
now, but the pressure from the rank
and file Of veterans is so strong that
sufficient members Of the House have
signed petition to force the sched-
uling Of vote on the issue on March
II. Roosevelt leaders in Congress are
embarrassed at the Situation-know-
ing that their master is opposed, but
that the large numbers Of members
dare not face their constituents in
next falls election with an anti-vet-
Grams vote on their record. The Dem
ccratic leadership does not either
want Roosevelt to be forced to say
yes, or veto the bonus and take sole
responsibility for that.
1t is perfectly well known that the
leadership is looking for way out
OF this Situation-and the V.F.W. res
olution might serve their purpose. It
proposes that the commission report |
to the President and Congress, rec
ommending legislation on the first |
day Of the next Congress meeting. |
Until 1t reported, obviously all mat
tiers under its investigation would be
held in allegiance until then.
Propose a Commission
The Weideman resolution proposes |
q commission composed of four Sena-
tors, four Representatives, four mem
berS appointed by the President, and |
two representatives of the American |
Legion the Veterans of Foreign Wars, |
the Disabled American Veterans, the |
United Spanish War Veterans and |
the Veterans Administration. Natur-
ally, there is no suggestion that the
commission contain representatives
of the Workers Ex-Servicemen's
League, the militant organization |
which Is fighting for immediate cash |
payments and for repeal of the Econ
ony Act.