The New York herald., 1922-08-09
BONUS BILL LIKELY
TO Be DITCHED AGAIN
Emergency Strike Legislation
Probably Will Get the
Right Of Way.
Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD.

Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., Aug. 3.
Despite promises made to the poll
ticians in the American Legion the Nc
Cumber bonus bill may not como before
the Senate directly after the tariff bill
Is voted upon.
Republican leaders to-day admitted
there, was a strong probability that
President Harding would offer some i'm
portant strike legislation as soon as the
House reconvened on August Is. In that
event emergency strike legislation would
get the right Of way and the McCumber
bill would be sidetracked
Some of the Republican leaders COM
mitted to the bonus raid are secretly
glad OF the possibility that the issue
may be further delayed. They realize
since recent primary elections that adj
vocacy of the measure is more of a
liability than an asset; in fact many
Senator's are inclined to believe the Nc
Cumber measure is filled with political
dynamite. For that reason, IL for no
other. they are anxious to postpone the
settlement Of that embarrassing ques-
ton until the last minute. hoping that
lieve the situation.
No Conclusion. Reached.
There also is considerable talk at the
Capitol that as soon as members of the
Ways and Means Committee return con-
ferences will be held with Senate sponsors
of the bonus with view OF trying to
work out some plan to finance the Nc
Cumber measure. While several Sena-
tors have been struggling with the prob
lem they have reached no conclusion,
and they will have few II any, concrete
suggestions to make.
House leaders. II Is believed, will
frown on the suggestion of rushing an
amendment through with the hope of
meeting the requirements of President
Harding. The fact is, Senators point
out. 1t would be Impossible to enact such
an amendment at this session. and that
conclusion probably will prevail.
SO after considerable dlcker1ng and
sparring the McCumber bill likely will
he adopted as a last resort, though the
SPONSORS for the measure now feel GER
tain the President never will approve It,
Several Southern Senators committed
to bonus are wiggling and wobbling.
Realizing that the passage of the bin
viii be blow to industry and tend to
in the South have protested against the
proposed raid on the Treasury. Further
more. many leading newspapers In the
south have come out strongly against
the bonus. For instance, the Atlanta
Constitution. one of the leading papers
ir Dixie, is opposed to the bonus.
Adverse criticism lis bothering the
Georgia Senators and others from the
south, although II is presumed both
Senators Harris and Watson of Georgia
will make good their pledge to the
American Legion and support the Me-
Cumber bill.
south Opposes Pensions.
Another thing that is worrying
Southern Senators Is the heavy pensions
being paid civil war veterans. which
they always have stoutly opposed. In
voting for the bonus they III effect APP
prove the principle OF gratulHes and
thus lay themselves open TO the charge
Of insincerity and inconsistency.
Many Senators from the South now
lean strongly TO the views held on the
bonus by Senators williams (Mss) and
Dial Is. CO. Senator Dial liz convinced
that the people are opposed to any meas
ure that would mean additional taxes.
When the McCumber bill comes before
the Senate he will make the charge that
you are passing bill which you know
President Harding will never sign since
IL ioes not carry 81 provision for finance
ing it,"
Another anti-bcrus Senator said
Advocates of the bonus did not dare
to embody In the bill to be passed Se-
fore election clause providing for adj
ditional taxes TO finance The measure
The pending bill Is the cheapest kind of
subterfugc to buy the votes Of tho ex-
service people and selling the former
soldiers "A gold brick as we'll"
Bonus Senator's admit that some OF
their supporters were on the fence. Two
Senator'S listed in favor or the bill told
tho bonus boosters to-day they were
inclined to support the President and
vote against the bill"