Evening star., 1936-01-17

COUtpcUouttOH CCJLtltCuLSS HOL QUug
to early start in present session OF
Congress.
Backed by three major UeterdnS'
organizations, united for first time,
bill for immediate cash payment
tOdS passed last Friday BY House.
On Tuesday Senate Finance Com
nrittee, BY 1872 Uote. approved bill
for payment OF 1945 face ualue in
baby bonds.
Measure calling for immediate
payment in netO currency Uds ve-
toed last year by President RooSe-
Uelt, ,Cho has declined comment on
pending measures.
BY the Associated Press
Opening Senate debate on the baby
bond bonus payment bill today. SEN
ator Harrison, Democrat, of Missis-
sippi, declared fatty the measure
would become law whether or not
President Roosevelt signed it. The bill
is expected to pass late today or to-
morrow.
Whether this bill is signed by the
President or not" the Finance Com
mittee chairman asserted as crowded
galleries looked on, ''it will become law
because it is the best way out of the
situation and because it is lighter and
easier on the government"
Harrison one of the bills authors,
was questioned repeatedly by oppo-
nents as to why he was supporting full
payment of the soldier debt now as
against his former position.
I'm not embarrassed" he said II
have not believed these certificates
should be paid until they were due in
1945, but great many people, whether
because of propaganda or a change of
opinion, believe this matter should be
gotten out of the way"
At an earlier press conference, Pres
his bonus views.
Silence of President.
Harrison said he did not know
whether the bill for the full 1945 value
of the bonus certificates in blocks Of
$50 bonds, cashable next June or to
be held as investments for nine years,
would be signed by the President.
The President has made no state
ment to any one on it," he added.
The Mississippian told Senator
Hastings, Republican, Of Delaware
there was a great difference between
the pending bill and the Patman in
fiation measure vetoed by the Presi-
dent last session.
He told how he and Senators Rob-
inson, the Democratic leader, and
others had "tramped to the White
House and Senators Offices" in an eff
fort to reach a final agreement to
dispose of the bonus matter for good.
Senator CouzenS. Republican, OF
Michigan, who voted against the bill
in committee, asked what additional
gratuity" would be given the veterans
by paying them full l945 value now.
Frank T. Hines. veterans administra-
tor, had agreed with Couzens in
committee that the bill would pay the
veterans S1,o00000,000 more than
under existing law.
Harrison did not reply, but several
Senators tried to answer for him,
without replying directly.
For Contract Standing.
"If We entered into contract with
the veterans which they agreed upon
themselves. then I see no reason for
changing that contract" Couzens said,
referring to the law passed in 1924
giving the veterans 20-year certii-
| Gates.
Senator Clark, Democrat, Of Mis-
souri,, a coauthor of the pending bill,
challenged Couzens' statement. He
said Congress on its own responsible
ity passed the adjusted service COM
pensation act and veterans accept
ance did not constitute any contract"
Harrison said he never believed"
the bonus should become a political
question.
II believe in the interest of the
country and all concerned" he said.
We should get together on this queS-
ton and get it behind U.S."
Debate on the bonus bill struck its
first delay when Senator Nye, Repub-
lican, of North Dakota, chairman of
the Munitions Investigating Commit
tee, took the floor to reply to attacks
on himself and the committee yester-
day concerning Nye's statement that
woodrow Wilson "falsified" the World
War record of the United States.
Administration leaders in the cham
Der were pressing for passage before
the week end adjournment, contend.
ing the iSSue-agitated for Is years
should be disposed of quickly.
Despite implied warnings of new
taxes to come and Secretary Morgen-
thau's statement that enactment
would increase the Treasury's borrow
ing and refunding operations to SILL
3o0,000,000 in the next 171a months
coalition supporters of the bill FORE
cast a top-heavy vote for it.
Total Is S2,4s1, 100000.
The eventual cost to the Govern.
ment is estimated at $2,491 ,000, 900.
Estimates of the immediate expense
range upward from 100000 900
depending on how many of the ponds
are cashed Immediately.
Democratic leaders expect the House
promptly to accept the Senate meas
ure in place of the bill it passed a
week ago providing for immediate
cash payment, but leaving to the
Treasury the method of paying it.
The, leaders. in predicting quick
passage, are silent about President
Roosevelt's position.
The Senate bill provides for full
payment Of the 1945 maturity value