News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1921-07-13
HARDING URGES
BONUS DELAY
President in Person Locks Horns
With Senators, Backing Up
Secretary MELONS, View.
TAX AND TARIFF BILLS FIRST
Lunches With Old Associates and
Lays Down Law BIuntly on Rev
enue Revision--Is fer
Senate Recess.
TAX AND TARIFF BILLS FIRST

Washington. President Harding
went to the Capitol and told the sen
ate leaders that the soldiers bonus
bill should be sidetracked to make way
for tax legislation
Revision Of the tax laws, the Presi-
dent declared, should come before con-
sideration Of the tariff bill in the SEN
ate.
The Presidents unexpected visit to
the senate came as a complete sur
prise to Capitol Hill. UnannOunced
and without having made any pre-
vious engagement, President Harding
suddenly appeared in the Presidents
room, Just off the main senate cham
Der. He was accompanied only by
his secretary, George B. Christian, Jr.
Immediately the Republican sena-
tors disappeared from the chamber to
greet the chief executive.
The President arrived at the
Capitol shortly after one o'clock, and
within u few minutes was having
luncheon with senate leaders on the
north balcony of the senate, He is
understood to have expressed the hope
that the senate would follow this leg
islative program:
l. RecOmmitment of the Soldier
Bonus bill and recess on the part
of the senate until August l.
2 The senate to give precedence.
to taxation legislation after the re-
cess.
The Presidents views, as outlined
indicated that tariff legislation wilt
be deferred until after tax program
has been put through.
President Harding indicated to sen
ators with whom he conferred that
while fayorably committed to bonu
legislation, he believes it should be
postponed at this time.
The President, it is understood, IS
formally to outline his views to Con
gress on the whole matter. His pro-
nouncement Will come in the form Of
letter, it is said.
President Harding emphasized that
Congress could expedite legislation
for which the special session was.
called, namely, taxation and tariff, by
recess at this time. The house now
is hard at work on the tariff bill
with expectation Of its passage by
July II What the President wants
is for the senate to recess, deferring
bonus legislation, refer the tariff bill
to the Finance Committee when it Is
passed by the House aud 90 ahead
Wi,L tie tax pr ram. BY this means,
it is believed Congress might be able
to adjourn by November l, with the
tax and tariff legislation completed.
The Presidents iisistence upon the
above program is interpreted as indi-
eating that he approves tactly the
views Of. Secretary Of the Treasury
Mellon that bonus legislation lat this
time" would place too heavy a load
upon the treasury. 1t is probable
that the executive may come out def
nitely in support of this policy in his
communication to Con-
gress. At that time he is expected to
point oUt that, while lis administra-
ton is publicly committed to bonus
legislation, he believes it should be
deferred until the country could bet
er stand the tiuanaa. strain.
Senator's with whom President
Harding conferred personally at the
Capitol were: Fre.nghuysen, Har-
ED, Spencer, Kellogg, Hale, Lodge,
Watson of Indiana, Moses, Wads-
worth, McCumber Knox, Brandegee,
Willis, Calder, New, Curtis,
Kenyon, Borah and AlcNary, Repeub-
leans, and Underwood and Oyerman,
Democrats.
Leaving the Capitol after his two
our conference, the President was
II his way to the White House, when
e passed Senator Dorah, coming out
the senate office building The
White House motors stopped abruptly
nd the President waved to Senator
orah, who came mp to the Presidents,
lr. They We're seen to talk vigorous
:, then exchanged haudshakes, while
lie ears got under way,