The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-13
LARGE MAJORITY
 PLEDGED ID LAY
 BONUS BILL ASIDE
President, in Message to Con- greSs, Says Enactment Now Would ImperiI the Financial
 Stability of Country
By Associated Press


 Washington. July 12.-Pledges of a wide majority of votes to lay aside the soldier bonus bill were claimed by republican leaders and conceded by opponents after President Hard ing in an address to the Senate today rary postponement of consideration of the measure. In making his re- quest, the President called attention to the condition of the treasury, say ing that enactment of the legislation at this time would greatly imperil the financial stability of our coun- try"
 Immediately after the President had finished speaking, Chairman Ptn- rose of the finance committee moved that the bill be recommitted to his committee, but democratic opposition flared up and prevented a vote today. The motion was under unlimited de- bate, but vote tomorrow was eX- pected, although some democratic op- ponents said it might be delayed un- til Thursday.
 President Harding delivered his address at ? o'clock before a distin- guished audience. Reterating his recognition of the obligations to care for disabled and dependent war vet erans, the President said general compensation" should be entered upon at a time when it would be con sistently possible.
 Means Positive Disaster
 "Overburdening of the treasury now means positive disaster in the years immediately before us" the Pr esident declared. "Merest prudence calls out in warning
 Although the bonus bill was the Presidents major subject he also urged action on tariff and tax leg islation for which the extra session was especially called. There was, he said, confessed disappointment that so little progress has been made on readjustment and reduction of war time taxes" He also urged carly passage. of the bill to organize war risk and vocational training service aiding former service men.
 The President reached the Senate just as the bonus bill was laid before 1t for the days debate. He was ap- plauded for about minute when he entered the chamber and again when he concluded, but his remarks were not ddilEiltS dlu lbn- bies outside were crowded. In the executives private gallery were Mrs Harding and party of friends and Brigadier General Sawyer, the Presi- dents personal physician, on tho Senate floor wore virtually all sena- tors in the city, scores of House members, including Representative Mondell, republican floor leader and Attorney General Daugherty, Post master General Hays and Secretary Davis.
 Democrats Object
 immediately upon the Presidents departure Senator Penrose offered the republican motion for recommit- .al of the bill with a promise of fur ther careful consideration" Demo- crats rose at once in opposition, Sena- tor Robinson, democrat, Arkansas. declared the motion meant "ob- sequies" for the bill. It would be- come "dead--for some years" he pre- dicted. declaring the recommittal motion was a shield" for senators pledged previously to support the measure.
 Another opponent of the Penrose motion, Senator Jones, democrat, New Mexico, speaking for two hours. de- clared the Presidents action unpre- cedented. No other executive, he said. had ever appeared before Con- gress to oppose legislation. but only to advocate 1t.
 Defense of the President was made by Senator King, democrat. Utah. an opponent of the bonus measure, who said the executives course was proper and courageous"
 Urging delay in the vote on recom- initial until tomorrow, Senator Rob- inson threatened an immediate mo- ton to adjourn, which the repubi- cans prepared to resist, but pro- tracted democratic debate took up the remainder of time until adjournment. IF RECoMNIITTED BILL
 WILL NEVER BE REsURRECTED
 Washington. July (Special)-- The indications are that the soldiers bonus bill, despite opposition of lem ocrats and the former service men of the country, will be recommitted by "a narrow majority vote in the Sen- ate.
 poll this afternoon indicated that A republicans and ' democrats will vote to recommit the measure. That number will be sufficient. The bill if recommitted. will never be rosurrected.
 The appearance Of the President today was for the purpose of giving the republicans fundamental req son for proposed violation of their pledges to the soldiers of the coun- try. Had the President not appeared to support the contention of his Sec rotary of the Treasury that the treas- ury would break" in attempts to ray the bonus, the republicans could scarcely have turned their backs on the soldiers.
 The people of the country, who would pay the increased taxation in cident to the passage of the bonus bill. expressed their opposition fol- lowing the action of the Senate some days ago in voting overwhelmingly to consider the bill When business spoke, the republicans hearkensd
 The plan was then devised for the President to pave the way for sena- tors to renounee on the promises they had made to the soldiers organiza- ton.
 American Warships
 Sail From Tampico
 By Aysociated Press
 Tampieo. Mex. July 12.-Ths United States warships Sacramento and Cleveland, which have been an- chored in this port, sailed at 10 o'clock this morning. The American consul asked the port authorities for a pilot. and shortly afterward the Cleveland was seen moving out. Twenty minutes later the Sacra- mento followed.