The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-07-12
Decision Was Reached After a
Conference With Repub-
lican Leaders.
AMERICAN LEGION is
OPPOSED TO DELAY
Says P0stpOnement Is Merely a
Subterfuge of Enemies of
~ Bill to Defeat 1t.

(ey The Associated Press.)
WASHINGTON, July 11.-President
Harding plans to appear before the
Ienate tomorrow and ask for tempo
rary postponement of the soldier bonus
bill
Plans for the presidents address to
The senate were discussed late today
by the executive with Senator Lodge,
Of Massachusetts, republican leader,
and Senator Curtis of Kansas, repub-
bcan whip. 1t is understood the bonus
&ll will be the only subject to be
touched upon in the address and that
suggestions for a joint address to the
congress or the transmission of a
message have been abandoned.
The president it was said had ex-
pected to address the senate today but
was prevented by pressure of other
business. He is now expected to
speak In the senate chamber tomorrow
afternoon but IL delayed further, it is
Rxpected that he will do so not later
Than wednesday.
1t will be the second time President
Harding has addressed the senate, the
Arst time being Immediately after he
VAS inaugurated when he presented in
person his cabinet nominations at an
executive session. He has addressed
one joint session of congress when he
read his message at the opening Of the
special session.
Decision to address the senate on
The bonus bill at the earliest oppor-
klnity was reached by the president
ln conference with the republican lead
ers at the white house. while the SEN
uNl Fpo En
Ltors Lodge and Curtis were said to
have given him assurances that a mo-
lion to recommit the bonus bill would
be adopted. At the conference the
entire legislative situation was said to
have been discussed, although it was
added, that the president in speaking
10 the senate would not discuss tariff
Or tax legislation.
When the senate resumed consid-
eration OF the soldiers bonus bill to-
day, Senator Norris, republican, Me-
sraska, introduced an amendment di-
recting the secretary Of the treasury
10 collect interest due on allied debts,
The funds to be set aside to pay the
bills expense.
Senator Norris said he was advised
by the Secretary that accrued interest
on the foreign loans on May 18th was
nine hundred and twenty-five million
dollars. Greece and Cuba, alone he
kaid, had paid all their interest.
Senator Reed, democrat, Missouri
mggested that European nations apply
toward their debts "the money they
now are spending in fighting over
lhere."
"Since this great league of nations
same along" said Senator Norris, "the
European nations have spent more
n warfare and in attempting to sub
lue rebellious peoples than would pay
III the interest they owe"
Senator watson, republican, Indiana,
)bjecting to the provision of the Nor
ds amendment directing the secretary
81 the treasury TO collect the interest
9ue on foreign loans, explaining that
provision might be a direction to do
The impossible.
senator McCumber. attacked the
Norris amendment, declaring he could
zee no reason why the receipts from
he foreign loans should be applied TO
ny specific indebtedness.
Designation of the pending bin as
IN adjusted compensation measure
vas described by Senator Wadsworth,
republican, New York, as. misnomer,
Aecause. he said, it would distribute
,ash indiscriminately and without re-
Eard to need.
Plans to delay consideration of the
bonus measure were attacked by the
legislative committee of the American
legion In a statement tonight. 1t re-
.erred TO the letter Of Secretary Mellon
urging consideration be deferred as
intellectually dishonest, especially un-
warranted, and politically ludicrous."
SPostponement." it added, 'is merely
\ subterfuge, a play for time, through
which its enemies hope ultimately to
defeat the measure"
Asserting that the bill. ais a meas
ure of elemental justice" and will mot
affect disastrously or even harmfully
the finances of the country, but will
rather add to the nations economic
power by placing hundreds of thou
sands Of bread winners back on their
feet" The statement said that the
American legion ''is irrevocably COM
mitted to it, popular opinion is behind
II and congress should pass it and
get It out Of the way"
secretary MELONS 'diatribe'." the
statement said, els nothing more than
(continued on PAGE Two)