The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1921-07-13
HARDING VISITS SENATE;
WOULD RECESS CONGRESS
Chief Executive Understood to Have
Requested Delay Oh oBnus Meas.

washington, July z. - President
Harding paid an unexpected visit to
the Senate today, and, it is under
stood, interposed the weight OF his
personal influence to defer action on
the soldier bonus bill until a clear
understanding of the governments
financial outlook has been made
possible by enactment Of new tariff
and tax laws.
In an hours conference with SEN
ate leaders the president is under
stood to have endorsed the views Of
Secretary Mellon that bonus legisla-
ton now might be serious embar-
rassment to the treasury, and even to
have suggested that all other legisla-
tive business be suspended to permit
completion of the tariff and tax re-
visions as soon as possible. BY those
who talked with him he was quoted
as favoring a recess of congress while
the committees in charge are hasten
ing perfection of the two measures
OIL account of which the special |
session was called.
1t was indicated that Mr. Hardings |
views would be set forth at greater
length in special message to con-
gress, which may be sent to the CAPT
tol tomorrow. The document is eX-
pected to deal particularly with the |
bonus bill and to set forth that while |
the administration regards itself as |
committed to some legislation for re-
lief for war veterans it sees no reas-
on for acting precipitatcly.
While the president was giving his
opinion to senator after senator in his
room just off the Senate chamber,
the Senate itself was debating the
bonus bill with sponsors for the meas
ure confident of its passage. BY an
| Overwhelming vote the bill had been
brought to the Senate floor as a spec
| ial order of business and the senator's
in charge were inclined to predict
Mellon would not be sufficient to de-
| lay it
| Ton the outlook generally was
admitte,. to be more uncertain. Lead
crs had not yet made a canvass to
ascertain Just how much weight the
visit Of the president might have and
the disposition in most quarters was
to await Mr.. Iiarding's message be-
fore facing a show down After the
message has been received, it is re-
garded as likely that an attempt will
be made to send the bonus bill back
to committee and then secure another
vote on the recess proposal which
failed of adoption several days ago
by margin of four votes
| In their opposition to a recess, the
bonus advocates are expected to have
the aid Of the various other Senate
clements who want action on some
parHcular class OF legislation. Not
the least potential Of these groups, it
generally is expected, will be the ag-
rlcultural block, who are determined
10 put through series of relief meas
nres for the farmers. The final divis-
ION is expected to be along group
rather than party lines.
| Leaders Of the elements most any
ious to push particular measures 10
enactment were among the first 10
be summoned into conference by the
! President when he reached his room
at the capitol. Senator McCumbcr.
/ republican, North dakota, in charge
of the bonus bill, and Senators Nor
lls, Republican. Nebraska; KENYON.
Republican, Iowa, and Simmons,
democrat, North Carolina, prominent
IN the agricultural group, we're said
TO have been told frankly and en-
phatically by Mr.. Hardig that he con
sldcred completion Of the tariff and
tax program the prime duty of the
| federal government In each case the
president punctuated his argument
with vigorous gestures and mods Of the
head.
MI liarding's conferences on the
legislative situation were held after
ne mad broken precedent by taking
luncheon with party Of senator's in
the Senate restaurant. Most OF those
in whose company he was accustom-
ed to take his meals during his scna-
tOrial days were at the table and the
president made manifest effort TO
have the visit as informal as possible