Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-07-09
SENATE LIKELY To
BURY BONUS
Poll Indicates Motion to Re-
fer Will Have Safe
Najority
PUSHES TIE BILL
Democrats Oppose Its shelving-Why
Next July Was Set-MOney For
Other PURPOSES

Wash;n.t3n, July 9.-Administra.
ton forces were said yesterday tc
have progle: sed sufficiently with
their poll OF the Senate TO indicate
that the Soldier Bonus bill will be
sent back e the Finance Committee
soon after President Harding's mes,
sage is received formally urging
such Il step.
An incomplete poll conducted by
Scantor Curtis, the Republican whip,
and other Senate >>ieaders indicates
that the rccommittal motion will
probably have t to 10 votes to spare
The Senate Democrats will vote
almost solil!y against shelving the
Bonus bill, brt under Administration
pressure the Republicans will supply
the required votes.
In shelving the Bonus bill, how
ever, it is not indicated that Presi-
dent Harding will get at the same
time a recess Of the Senate. This is
desired b. Administration leaders not
only to check Senate oratory and op-
position charges Of "donothing
Congress- ort also to halt action on
number of bills which ere getting
into preferred places on the calcn-
dar and 10 which the leaders are
oppcs ed.
Senator McCumber, in charge Of
the Soldier Bonus bill, madc1i!n ey-
tended spcccn yesterday. reviewing
the moral obligation" this Govern
ment owes its former 'oldiers and
former sailors, the platform pledges
held out by the two parties and the
alacrity with which Congress ap-
propriates for other things while
delaying action on the bonus. In the
end the hammered Mr.. 'McCum-
ber made no harsh criticism of the
Administrations latest attitude, hat
said he saw NO reason why the Bo-
nus bill should not be passed now,
since it called for no money unit.
next summer.
/. So far as Il Senate recess Is con
cerned, the agricultural bloc" still
appears in the saddle and either ny
votes or filibuster tactics this group
probably will prevent any extended
adjournment cf that body---that is,
unless it shall have passed the farm
er relief legislation demanded by the
agrarian group.
In his speech on the bonus yester-
day Senator McCumher referred tc
President Harding's statement that
his attitude toward the Bonus bill
was long ago announced as favor
able" If that were so. said Mr.. Nc
Cumber, it carried with it the as
sumption that Mr.. Harding want
ed the bill passed.
"[ admit" he said, "there may he
times and conditions il the country.
such as the state Of the Treasury.
under which We may have to post
pone what we all regard rs. just and
proper ob!igatirns. We may differ
as to the. necessity Of postponemcnt.
tut that would he merely q difference
of opinion-nut as to the justice Of
the proposal But have heard
neither President Harding nor See
retary Mellon say that July /,
1922, is too SOON for thiS bill to he
come operative and il does not he
come operative until tiat date. One
reason for fixing this date was to
give time for the preparation Of
records for 100000 soldiers and to
rive them tima to exercise the op..
tiors OF the. Bpnps bill"
j. Senator McCumber: suggested
theer should be 70 partisanship in
Congress over the bonU' or anything
else until we can get this country
en- its: feet" lie, was - party man.
hee. observed, but the bc:Ius: was one
of that realm. Insisting that Coz
eress should act on the :honus-+ nw
Senator McCunber said he believed
SECRETARY. Mellon h"d-' given nniu'
weight to the. nossibl" cffc"t Of snci
:aation on the. rri"c Of libr-ty bor'!s
md the adiustm"nt of the fnrcig"
lleans5o :" "rits
-fi""There is not : peAiiS' of addition
ial expense ,t4. the Government under
this Bonus bill during the syear'192T
i.e1 said, @and not a peaEy :of expense