Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-07-12
HARDING PLANS
BONUS ATTACk
BEFORE SENATE
President Will Appear
Today and Ask Post
ponement of Bill.
Lodge and Curtis Prom
ise Motion Will Pass
to Recommit Measure.

Washington. July 11.-President
Harding plans to appear before the
senate and ask for temporary post
ponement of the soldier bonus bill
Plans for the presidents address to the
senate were discussed late Monday by
the executive with Senator Lodge of
Massachusetts, Republican leader, and
Senator Curtis. of Kansas, Republican
whip. 1t is understood that the bonus
bill will be the only subject touched
upon in the address and that sugges-
tlons for a joint address to the con-
gress or the transmission only of
message have been abandoned.
The president, it was said, had ex-
pected to address the senate Monday,
but was prevented by pressure of other
business. He is now expected to speak
In the senate chamber Tuesday after
noon.
His Second Address.
1t will be the second time President
Harding has addressed the senate, the
first time being immediately. after he
was 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 opportunity.
was reached by the president in CON
ference with the Republican leaders at
the White House while the senate was
debating the measure. Senators Lodge
and Curtis were said to have given
him assurances that motion to re-
commit the bonus bill would be ac-
cepted.
When the senate resumed considera-
lion of the soldier bonus bill Monday
Senator Norris, Republican, Nebraska, |
introduced an amendment directing"
The secretary of the treasury to col |
ect interest due on allied debts, the |
fund to be set aside for the bills ex-
,ense.
Paying Bond Interest.
"Why is it the governments cannot
BAY their interest?' Senator Norris |
asked, adding that in some cases it
was impossible and in a few
Instances that the entire loans would
re lost.
But in the main the foreign govern
nents are paying interest on their
,wn bonds just as we are" he said.
Senator Norris said he was advised
" the treasury that accrued interest
IN the foreign loans on May Is, was
800 100000. Greece and Cuba, alone,
le said, had paid all the interest.
Senator Reed, Democrat, Missouri,
uggested to the European nations,
hat they apply toward their debts
money they are spending in fights
1T is time to get out of dreamland,"
e added. 1T is time for Europe to
top fighting and begin paying"
"Since this great League of Nations
anne along said Senator Norris.
the European nations have spent
1ore in warfare and in attempting to
ay all the interest they owe"
Senator McCumber attacked the
'orris amendment, declaring he could ,
ee no reason why the receipts from
be foreign loans should be applied
nv specific indebtedness.
Plans to delay considerations Of the i
onus measure were attacked by the
,gislative committee of the American
.gion in a statement Monday night.
referred to the letter of Secretary
[ellon. urging that consideration be
eferred as intellectually dishonest,
unwarranted and polite
lly ludicrous."
'Postponement," it added, sis mere
subterfuge. play for time.
trough which its enemies intend to
defeat the measure"
Asserting that the bill SIS measure
elemental justice" and will mot af- c
ct disastrously, or even harmfully, |
Ie finances of the country, but will !,
lther add to the nations economic
,wer by placing hundreds Of thous- Q
Ids of bread winners back on their C
et,' the statement said that the le- 4
on "is irrevocably committed to it.
'pular opinion is behind it., and con- =
ess should pass it and get it out of
e way" "
L. y