Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1922-03-21
President
Scored on
Bonus Bill
Minority Report Charges Iha,
Harding and Secretary Mel.
Ion Offer To Bribc World
War Veterans.
Cash Payments Urged

Wash ington. March 20,-Tht
charge that President Harding and
Secretary Mellon boldly offer q
bribe TO the world war veterans ,e
espouse the cause OF the money pow
crs in their efforts 10 establish as a
part Of our revenue system the
vicious policy OF a general sales tax'
is made in a minority report on the
soldiers bonus bill filed today by
Representative Kitchen OF North
Carolina. ranking democrat OF the
ways aud means committee. and four
other minority members OF that COM
mittee.
The report attacks the bank loan
provision and declares in favor OF
cash payments 10 the veterans. II
proposes the legislation be financed
by re.enac,ment OF the excess profits
tax, with a special exemption OF
$4,000 and restoration OF the oS per
cent wartime income surtax rate.
Republican house leaders at the con-
ference late today virtually decided
to bring the loans up Thursday.
Representative Mondell OF Wyo-
ming, republican leader. said the final
decision would be reached, possibly
BY noon tomorrow. both as TO the
exact date OF consideration and how
the measure would be taken up
whether under a suspension OF the
rules or under special rule.
Special Rule Necessary.
Washington, March 20.-Repub-
lean house leaders tailed today tc
obtain presidential approval OF the
compromise soldiers bonus bill, but
went ahead with plans 10 put the
measure through the house. Speaker
Gillctt refused to permit the measure
10 be brought up today under sus-
pension of the rules, however, and a
special rule will be necessary tor its
consideration.
Leaders were to confer late today
As to procedure and the time that
house consideration of the bonus
would begin.
Representative Mondell OF Wyo-
ming and several other house mem
bers we're closeted iwth the presi-
dent at the White House this morn
ing for nearly two hours.
Issues Statement
Upon leaving the executives office
Mr.. Mondcll issued this in writing:
The legislative situation relating
to the bonus bill was fully presented
To the president, with detailed ex-
planation OF the provisions which re-
move the menace of excessive drafts
Non the treasury in the immediate.
future and avoid any program OF
added taxation. The president went
over the entire situation, with an ap-
praisal OF commitments made. He
advised the committee that the legis-
lation is a responsibility OF congress,
aud in view of expressions previous.
" made, he did not think it essential
10 offer any recommendation.
Speaker Giliett also had an APP
pointment with the president, but
because OF the length OF the conter-
cnce between Mr.. Harding and the
house leaders the speaker had re-
turned to the capitol to preside over
the house session without seeing the
executive.
Meets House Leaders.
Upon reaching the capitol the
speaker met with the house leaders
and made known to them his decl-
sion not TO recognize Chairman
Fordney today for motion to sus-
pend the rules and pass the bill.
While at the White House, Mr..
Nondell and other members OF the
house committee went over the
whole bonus situation with the presl-
dent, who was understood to have
given no expression OF his views on
the compromise with its bank loan
provision in lieu OF the original cash
proposal.
The president was quoted as hav-
ing said that he preferred not 10
make any recommendation -,
Administration officers who have
discussed the bonus with the presi-
dent were under the impression that
the executive had not changed his
mind with regard to the legislation.
These officers were OF the opinion
that the compromise measure would
not be passed by the senate; that
the measure either would be held
up there or changed that cash would
be available to the veterans desiring
il and the cost would be financed
either by taxes or the sale OF bonds.
No One Recognized.
When the house met today, Rep-
resentatiye Garner of Texas, rank
ing democrat on the ways. and
means committee. asked unanimous
consent for Mr.. Mondell to tell the
house when the bonus bill would
be taken up. Representative camp,
bell, republican, Kansas. demanded
the previous order shutting OIL the
request. Later. however, Mr.. Gar
ncr asked Speaker Gillett tor inior,
nation about the bonus and was told
that no one would be recognized to