Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-07-13
Enactment Of Law Now
Would Break Treas
ury, Says President.
Merest Prudence Calls
Out in Warning Is
Burden of Message.

Pledges of a wide majority of
votes to lay aside the soldier
bonus bill were claimed by
Republican leaders and conced-
ed by opponents after Presi-
dent Harding in an address to
the senate Tuesday had made
formal request for temporary
postponement of consideration
of the measure.
In making. his request the president
called attention to the condition OF the
treasury, saying that enactment Of the
ieglsiatlon at this time would "sreativ
lmpern the financial stability Of onr
country" ~ oat
Immediately after the president had
1lnlshed speaking, Chairman Penrose.
OF the finance committee, moved that
the BILL be recommitteed to his commit
tee, but Democratic opposition flared
up and prevented vote at that time
Starts at O'clock.
President Harding delivered his nd
dress at 2 o'clock. Reiteratinr his rec-
oognition of the obligations to care for
disabled and dependent war veterans.
the president said general compensa-
ton should be entered upon at a time
when it would be consistently possible.
"Overburdening of the treasury now
means positive disaster in the years i'm
mediately before u.s." the president de-
clared. "Merest prudence calls out in
warning" -
Although the bonus bill was the pres
ident's major subject, he also urged ac-
ton on tariff and tax legislation for
which the extra session was especially
called. There was, he said confessed
disappointment that SO little progress
had been made on readjustment and re-
duction of the war time taxes" He
also urged early passage of the bill to
reorganize war risk and vocational
training services aiding former service
men.
Galleries Are Crowded.
The president reached the senate
just as the bonus bill was laid before
its members for the days debate He
was applauded for about a minute,
when he entered the chamber, and
again when he concluded, but his re-
marks were not interrupted. Gal
leries and lobbies outside were crowd
ed In the executives private gallery
were Mrs. Harding and a party OF
Yer, the presidents personal physiciarI
senators in the city, scores of house
including Representative
Republican floor leader. and
Attorney General Daugherty. Post
master General Hays, and Secretary
Davis.
Immediately ON the presidents de-
parture, Senator Penrose offered the
Republican motion for committal- Of
the bill, with promise Of further
careful consideration" Democrats
rose at once in opposition. Senator
Robinson. Democrat, Arkansas. de-
for the bill" 1t would become dead
:. for many years" he predicted, de-
claring the recommital motion was n
shield for senator's pledged pre-
viously to support the measure.
Another opponent of the Penpose
motion. Senator Jones, Democrat,
New Mexico, speaking for two hours.
declared the presidents action m
No other executive. he
said. had ever appeared before con-
gress. to oppose legislation, but only
10 advocate it.
Defense of the president was made
oy Senator King, Democrat, Ucah,
an opponent of the bonus measure who
said the, executives course was ''prop-
sr and Courageous"
Text Of message.
Following is the full text Of Pres;-
dent Hardings address to the senate:
Mr.. President and gentlemepAof the
senate: There has come toVLfhy at
tention the pending unfinished busi-
ness before the senate and lit is an
imperative duty to convey to you the
probable effect of the passage at this
.ime of the proposed act, providing for
adjusted compensation to our service
nen in the world war. If this measure
,ould be made effective at the present
,ime without disaster to the nations
inances and without hindrance to i'm
,erative readjustment of our tares it
would present an entirely different
question than that which is before
Tou In personal, as well as public
manner, which ought to be q plight Of
rood faith, j have commended the
,olicy of generous treatment Of the
lation's defenders, not as q part OF
my contract, not as the payment Of
lebt which is owing, but AZ 4 mark of
he nations gratitude. Every obNxa-
ion is to the disabled and dependent.
n such reference az has baen made
0 general compensation there haa been