The New York herald., 1922-03-24

bill was presented by Mr.. Garrett, the
floor leader: Mr.. Garner and Mr.. Cock
ran.
Crowds Listen 10 Debate.
The show provided by the House
was sufficiently attractive to place
even standing room in the galleries
at a premium. Before the members
began TO gather in their seats. all of
the galleries set aside for casuals were
occupied and long queus of people
stood in line throughout the day
awaiting an opportunity to witness
and listen to the cernonials incident
10 the passage of the bonus bill. Dele
cations of former service men, both
white and coIored. were conspicuous
and interested auditors of the debate
on the floor, though only few men
in uniform of the army and navy
were to be seen.
The real show began Immediately
after the reading of the journal, when
the House membership was pretty
fully represented. Representative
Campbell (Rep., Kan.), chairman or
the Rules Committee. started the
bonus ball rolling by submitting the
report of that body suspending the
rules and proposing one limiting de-
bate to four hours. and preventing
The submission of amendments during
that period.
His brief explanation was inter-
rupted by acting Democratic leader
Garrett (Tenn.), who made the point
that the new rule was not privileged
under a decision of the House of
March Is, 1909, which stated that the
Committee on Rules should not report
any rule to prevent a motion to re-
commit.
ut has been openly and avowedly
stated by friends of the bonus meas
ure." said Mr.. Garrett, shat the sole
purpose of this rule is to prevent any
motion to recommit, and j respectfully
submit that such procedure violates
the spirit and letter of the rule which
just read"
Fess Explains "FIOp.'
Representative Fess (Ohio) and
Representative Towner Iowa). both
Republicans, took exception to the
argument advanced by Mr.. Garrett,
both contending that the Rules Com
mittee had right to make changes in
procedure directed by the majority.
Chairman Campbell frankly ad-
n,itted that the purpose of the new
rule was to prevent motions to recon-
nit. I'VE do not propose to quibble
over this proposition like the minor
ity." he said, land so we frankly con-
fess the purpose of the rule is to
block unnecessary amendments and
aimless debate" at.
Were not trying to quibble." re-
torted Mr. Garrett, "but we're trying
10 be honest with ourselves and hon.
est with the country"
Speaker Gillett overruled the point
raised against the new rule and paved
the way for Representative Fess to
flop" on the bonus proposition. The
chairman of the Republican Congress
sional Committee declared that he
voted against the bonus bill two years
ago because it did not provide the
necessary revenue.
THE pending measure does not need
much money to put 1t into operation
until three years from now" he said
when we hope the condition of the
Treasury will take care of the de-
mands without any hardship"
While the House was still engaged
in discussing the rule most of the
speeches related directly to the bonus
bill itself.
Representative Pou IN. c. said the
bonus issue should not have been made
a party question and he regretted that
any party should play politics with
100000 brave men," He denied that
the idea of paying bonus to the ex-
service men originated with them, and
declared 1t was initiated right here in
this House and I was one of the pro-
moters."
smell Calls IT Vicious BiII.
He said that while he would vote
for the pending bill. you have brought
here a measure which your own Presi-
dent will never sign" He concluded
by saying It was better than no bill at
all, but declared the soldiers were
sxious to receive a cash bonus.
Representative Smell IN. W made
Z strong argument against the pend
ing bill during a discussion of the
pociai rule He said:
This vicious bill is the cheapest
sort OF a subterfuge to secure the votes
the ex-service men. Any man with
m ounce OF brains knows that if it
We're not for the election next Novem-
ber this measure would not be under
consideration, and IL 1t were forced to
the front it would not receive seventy
FIVE votes. You are not only bunco-
ing the American people with this
proposition but you are buncoing the
soldiers"
At this point Representative Mann
Ull.) suggested the adoption of a gen.
eral rule by which the members could
extend, their remarks in the Record
any time during the next ten days. 1t
was approved, so that vast volumes of
paper will be consumed by the mem
hers in the House in an effort to
square themselves with their constitu-
ents on the bonus question.
Mr. Garrett continued the debate by
saying:
Il suppose this is the day which
win scatter the bones Of many states
men over the Republic to bleach in the
sunlight and rot in the rain, and we
cnnnot tell just who will be numbered
among the slain The previous ques-
ton on this rule ought to be voted
down. There is no disposition so far
as l know on the part Of any one to
prevent this bill from being consid-
cred.