Evening star., 1921-07-07
PRESIDENT URGES
BONUS BILL DELAY
Makes Unexpected Visit to
Capitol to Discuss
Legislation.

Deferment of Senate action on the
soldier bonus bill was urged at
luncheon conference today between
President Harding and republican
Senate leaders at 1e Capitol.
The conference was informal and
grew out of the Presidents unan-
nounced arrival at the Capitol to have
luncheon with a group of senators,
chuscttS. the republican leader. Aft
er the luncheon the President retired
to his private office off the Senate
chamber and sent for Senator Nc
Cumber, republican, North Dakota, in
charge of the bonus bill. and Senator
cratic leader. who spoke at length
Yesterday in opposition to the bonus
bill.
Urges Delay In Bonus Bill.
1t is understood that the President
impressed upon Senator McCumber
the necessity of postponing action
upon the soldiers bonus bill at this
time. in view of the financial situa-
ton. Mr.. McCumber. on the other
hand, submitted his reasons to the
President why the bonus bill should
be enacted into law.
The executive broke a presi-
Dental precedent today by motoring
to The Capitol and taking lunch with
some of his old associates in the Sen
ate.
The President left the White House
shortly after l O'Clock. without an
nouncing his destination. and dropped
in Unexpectedly on the senators in the
midst Of their luncheon hour. To all
appearances Mr.. Harding's trip to the
other end of the Avenue" "as pure
ly social in character. although it was
taken for granted that pressing
questions Of legislatirT undoubtedly
would come up for discussion during
the visit.
1t was the first time in recent years.
at least, that a President has made
such a visit to the Capitol. Until the
Wilson administration the chief ex-
ecutive remained away from the leg
islative end of the capital except when
he was called there by official busi-
ness. President Wilson originated
the custom of calling on senators and
representatives to discuss public af-
that custom a step farther in his in
formal visit of today.
On arrival at the Capitol the Presi-
dent went directly to the Senate
dining room on the first floor. He was
accompanied by Secretary Christian
Jersey. who had been in conference
with him at the wee House just
before his departure.
The Presidents arrival was wholly
| a surprise to Capitol employees, but 4
group of them in the hallway recog-
mixed him and there was a spattering
Of handclapping.
The President took a, seat at the
same table at which it was his Gus
tom to lunch while a member of the
Senate. 1t is located in a corner of
the portion Of the Senate dining room
| their guests. With him at the table,
| in addition to Senator Frelinghuysen,
were Senators Lodge of Massachu-
setts. the republican leader; Knox of
Pennsylvania, Watson of Indiana.
Wadsworth of New York. Kellogg of
| Minnesota. Hale of Maine, Moses of
| New Hampshire, Spencer of Missouri.
Mckinley of Illinois, Harold Of Okla
! homa and Bpandegee of Connecticut.
Most OF the senators were of the
same group with which Mr.. Harding
usually lunched in his senatorial
days.
A point Of no quorum in the Senate
by Senator Smoot of Utah interrupted
the presidential lunchSan party for a
few minutes, as the yenators were
compelled to go to the Senate cham
Der to answer the roll call.
Upon conclusion of the luncheon the
President planned to go to the execu-
tive's private room OF the Senate cham
Der for discussion of matters which
senators might desire to bring before
him and for greetings to those who were
not at the luncheon table.