PRESIDENT HARDING VETOES SOLDIER BONUS BILL; CITES FAILURE OF CONGRESS TO PROVIDE REVENUE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On September 19, 1922, President Warren G. Harding vetoed a bill which would have provided "adjusted compensation" to America's servicemen of the world war.*
In his veto message sent to Congress 100 years ago today, the President states...
"Congress fails...to provide the revenue from which the bestowal is to be paid. It puts a burden (of)...four and five billions...upon the American people.
We are expending $510,000,000 on hospitalization and care of sick and wounded...vocational training for the disabled, and for insurance (as well as) $35,000,000 on hospital construction.
I...appeal to the candid reflections of Congress and the country, and the ex-servicemen...as to the course better suited to further the welfare of our country."
*Harding's veto was overridden by the House 258-54 but the Senate failed to override by 4 votes. Coolidge vetoed another Bonus Bill in 1924 saying "patriotism bought & paid for is not patriotism," but this time both houses of Congress overrode the veto.
The World War Adjusted Compensation Act became law on May 19, 1924. It did not provide immediate compensation as most veterans received an "Adjusted Service Certificate" equivalent to a 20 year insurance policy.
Demand for early payment of their bonus certificates in the face of the Great Depression led to the Bonus March of 1932.
SOURCE
"President Vetoes Soldier Bonus Bill," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 19, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
