The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1921-03-04

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WARDWELLds q THOMPsO Pubs.
WASHINGTON NEWS LETTER. 81
ii - -. a-,s Y '5
Exclusive to tie Pioneer Expressly
The passage Of the Fordney en-
ergency tariff bill, following the ur-
gent request of President-elect Har-
ding that Congress act at once to re-
lieve the legislative jam and pass the
usual supply bills, marked the end Of
long and bitter fight upon the part
of senators and congressman seeking
to aid the growers in their present
emergency.
The bill was amended in many par
ticulars while in the Senate and will
now go to a conference with confer
ees from the House Committee on
Ways and Means for adjustment of
differences so specific rates carried
in the bill can best be deferred in
this letter until they are finally
agreed upon both by the conferees
and the two houses.i
About the Capitol it is currently
reported that President Wilson will
veto the bill in which case all effort
in this line will have been to naught
for it is not believed thet the tariff
bill could be passed over q presiden-
tial veto. When the Fordney act
passed the Senate it lacked several
votes of the necessary two thirds to
do this and it is doubtful whether the
bill would receive a stronger endor-
sement upon second test. Senator
Underwood, Democratic floor leader,
has stated repeatedly that Wilson
would veto the bill if it ever receiv-
ed the sanction of Congress.
With the tariff bill out Of the way
for the time harmony has been res
tored in the Senate, momentarily at
least, and with three of the large
appropriation bills already passed it
seems likely that the other six will
receive attention before the March
4th adjournment. .
The soldiers bonus bill has been re-
portedsto the Senate and in the 5opin-
ion of Bome senators, has a chance Of
enactment within the next few days.
1
However if a fight develops upon the
measure this will not be possible for
with but week or so left before the
end of the present session action
: could easily be held up. However
both Senators Penrose and McCum-
Der have sponsored the bill, before
the Finance Committee and fresh
from their success with the erner-
gency tariff law they are expected
to make a determined effort to force
the bill to a vote. &
Representatives Of the American
Legion, watching legislation here,
are confident that the bonus bill will
: pass if record vote can be had, as
sertng that few senator's will care
TO go on record as opposing adjust
ed-compensation for the ex-seryice
man.. However the Legion men have
had their attention diverted to some
extent on account of the increasing
seriousness of the hospitalization
situation and in the recent executive
meeting here the case Of the dis
abled soldier was placed at the end
OF the list and naturally this has re-
quired the almost exclusive atten-
ton Of the Legion's legislative COM
mittee.
Leaders in the House and Senate
have assured the Legion that the
condition Of the disabled soldier will
receive immediate attention. Chair
man Fordney, Of the Ways and
Means committee, now in St. Angus
tine conferring with Senator Har-
ding, stated before his departure
that part Of his mission was to
take up with the incoming president
the question of filling the post Of
Assistant Secretary Of the, Treasury.
who is in charge of the soldier re-
lief agencies. /
Before leaving Washington for
Florida Congressman Fordney said:
There is adequate law for the
proper care Of these boys. l want a
man in tho job Of Assistant 'Secre-
tary Of the Treasury who will be
courageous enough to ignore tech
nicalities and carry ont the law to re-
lieve 1the condition Of these men.
There viii be no opposition to such
conduct Of the Office"
Mr.. Fordney has been prominent
in Ill soldier relief Legislation and,
. N chairman AZ fho Wavr a,,S Aax.~.