The New York herald., 1921-07-15
HARDING IS CENTRE
OF BONUS STORM
President Accused i'm Senate of
Dictation in Proposing Re-
cOmmital of Bill.
VOTE TO BE TAKEN TO-DAY
Effort to Lay Whole Matter
Over Until January Called
Moral Cowardice.'

| WASHINGTON, July 14.-President Har
ding's proposal that the soldier bonus
bill be recommitted to the Finance Com.
mittee was the basis of turbulent debate
In the Senate to-day. charges of "dicta-
ton" being advanced by Democrats and
denied by Republicans. BY agreement
the vote on recommital will be taken to-
morrow
In preparation for final action Sem
ator Kenyon (Iowa). Republican. offered
an amendment which would instruct the
Finance Committee to report back the
kill early in January. Opposition was
Immediately voiced from both sides.
Senator Borah (Iadho), Republican,
characterized the suggestion as moral
cowardice' and asserting that six months
delay would make no difference to the
taxpayers, while Senator Watson (Ga-),
Democrat described the proposed action
as a floral wreath on the grave of the
till"
Allied debts. tariff and tax revision
figured in the discussion. Democrats
and Republicans Joined in declaring that
the allied debt refunding was not suffi-
Gent ground for deferring the bill. The
bill itself was assaied by Republicans
as well as Democrats.
Senator Kellogg (Minn.), Republican.
said II was a sham in being devoid of
taxes for payment. and Senator Borah
said the whole course of Congress In
dealing with the legislation was a dis
grace" The latter opposed "any cash
proposition" declaring it was to measure
patriotic service by cash.
"Our first duty Is to the disabled SOL
der" he said. ''but 1t will be tre-
mendous burden. Until that has been
met we should not impose on the Gov
ernment other burdens which would
hamper in taking care of the disabled
soldier"
Senators Harrison MISSY. McKellar
(Tenn.) and Reed (Mo) made the prin-
cipal pleas against recommittal from
the Democratic side. The Mississippi
Senator referred to President Harding
as a dictator" and urged the Republi-
cans not to surrender" He declared
the Presidents course indicated lack
of respect for Congress, and warned
the Republicans they could mot play
double with the people"
Senator Reed also declared recon-
initial would be "a polite way of killing
the BILL" President Harding's address.
he said. made no suggestion as TO time
WH5Il tHe SlOIfs WOulu pe away
from the sepulchre."
IF there Is a spark OF life left In u
when II Is filled with the Penrose en-
balming fluid" said Mr.. Reed, "the
Angel Gabriel could not resurrect it."
Senator Kenyon challenged the argu-
ment that funds were lacking to pay
the bills burden. He said that people
had paid $i.6oO.0oO recently ito see a
Stacker knock F'renchman into insen-
sibility." and declared that means could
be found to pay the soldiers.
Tax payers now living ''in a Dantean
hell OF misery would be further bur-
dened II the bill were enacted. Senator
Borah declared in announcing that he
would vote to recomnit the Measure
because he was opposed to 1t In prin-
ciple.
What use Is IL to give the soldier a
few dollars he asked. 'if you thereby
decrease the value of the Liberty bond
bought by his mother and increase the
taxes paid by his father?"