The New York herald., 1922-02-15

| able.
serving this rule of their organization.
They say comparatively little attention
has been paid to Democratic legisla-
i tors, on the theory that they would
support the bonus project for reasons
OF political expediency.
Several Democratic members of
both houses who are less enthusiastic
for the bonus plan than they were a
week ago insist that the professional
promoters of it have promised their
support to Republicans who vote for
1t, but have not made the same offer
to Democrats who may be opposed by
Republican candidates that declare
themselves friendly"
Financial Backers Cold.
Another influence that is beginning
to disturb the mental tranquility Of
the members of both parties in Con-
gress who have committed themselves
to the support of the bonus bill has
developed in the last two or three days.
This is the declaration of friends to
whom they kave always looked for
| financial assistance in their camaigns
for reelection that these supplies will
be shut off If the bonus bill is passed.
The effect of this warning, which
evenly balances the threats of political
reprisal from proponents of the bonus.
has been most disagreeable to great
many members of both houses. 1t is
particularly noticeable among Repub-
lican Representatives in the lower
House, who frankly admit that they
! will need all the support they can get
in the coming elections.
| 4 Senator's who have refused to be
cajoled or coerced into committing
themselves to support of the bonus
bill find a great deal of satisfaction in
the perplexities OF their harassed as
sociates that delivered themselves
without prospecting the public mind
Senate Hostility Grows.
While the majority of Senators upon
whose Judgment the fate of the bonus
depends will not indicate their conclu-
sion. the list of these who are known
to be opposed to it is rapidly growing.
A week ago the advocates Of the
bonus boldly remarked that mot more
than five Senators will vote against
it." That estimate would he entirely
too conservative to-day. Senators who
have canvassed the situation eX-
pressed the opinion that more than
thirty Senators would vote against
the bonus now, and the majority will
be against it if the storm of protests
continues a week longer"
| Among the Senators who are be-
lieved to be opposed to the bonus pro-
iect for various reasons are Borah
Qdaho), Colt Or. -. Fernald (Me),
Nelson (Minn.). Wadsworth On. ",
Edge IN. J.), Brandegee Comm. War
rem (Wyo.), Weller (Md.) and Pepper
! (Pa.), Republicans, and Dial Is. c.,
Glass (Va), Shields (Tenn.), Under
wood (Ala.). Williams (Miss) and
King (Utah), Democrats.
More than a score of Senators in
both parties are ION the fence" The
majority of these men look to the
White House for guidance. They will
probably support the Administration
program when 1t is finally and con-
clusively revealed.
Expecting to hear from the Presi-
dent in reference to their buck pass
ing" proposal for a bond issue to raise
the funds needed for the bonus, the
subcommittee of the Senate and House
to which the question of raising the
revenue for the eX-service men was
referred, consisting of Senators Nc
Cumber and Smoot and Representa-
tives Fordney, Longworth and Cop
ley, met this afternoon.
After waiting for some time the
committee unsuccessfully tried to get
in touch with the President by tele-
phone. Efforts were made to reach
Secretary Mellon without avail. After
the committee made a fruitless effort
to get in touch with Secretary Weeks
to learn wha. had taken place at the
Cabinet meeting in reference to the
bonus the members decided to adj
journ until tomorrow morning. when
IL is expected they will receive the
official communication from President
Harding setting forth his views on the
bonus issue.
Watson for TaxIess Bonus.
The bonus came up for discussion
in the Senate this afternoon. Senator
Watson, the Georgia radical, made an
attempt TO discount the arguments adj
vanced by Senator Borah yesterday.
While advocating the bonus, Senator
Watson said he would not vote for
any measure that proposed a tax on
Autn ua1A 1Ao
tax or any other form of tax. He de-
Tended the bonus as a purely legitl-
mate obligation Of the Government.