New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-05-07
Shocks Senators by Firm
Stand Against Any
Measure MOI Carrying
Provisions for Funds
Calls 1t Politics:
Delay Is Probable
Treasury Must Be Pro-
tected, He Insists, AZ
ter Talk With Mellon
By Carter Field


WASHINGTON. May 6.-Absolutely
vrlncved by appeals for his sanction of
he McCunber soldier bonus plan,
President Harding told a group Of Sen
,.ors to-day he believed public sent
rent was swinging against its enact
nert at this time
The President somewhat shocked his
Visitors, Senator McCumber, chairman
~ the Senate Finance Committees;
Senator Lodge, Republican leader;
Senator Curtis, Republican whip, and
Senator Watson. Of the Finance Con-
nittee, by saying that he believed the
novement for the bonus was largely
political"
Holding Of the bonus bill in the
Finance Committees pieeonhole until
July was seriously discussed. BY
that time, Senator McCumher expressed
the hope, the interest payments on the
British debt would be in sight, thus
obyiating the necessity for including
the revenue raising provisions with the
bonus legislation.
President Harding was extremely
hostile to the idea of relying on pay
ments of foreign debt for the bonus
money, and showed himself as deter
mined as ever that the taxes to pay
the bonus should be included in the
same bill with the appropriations The
Presidents unchanged front as to this
vas best illustrated by his inquiring
again why, if Congress insisted on the
bonus legislation at this time, instead
Of postponing it until q financially
more proptious occasion. the sales tax
should net be utilized? The Senators
tod the President that the sales tax
could not possibly pass in the Senate.
50 strong is the opposition to it from
he farm bloc and in certain other
quarters.
Leaves Situation in Air
The President made no statement as
70 wether he would veto the McCumber
plan # PIT up to him with the approval
Of both houses Of Congress. but left
the situation in the air after giving
very plain signs Of his disapproval of
any plan which did not carry The reve-
nue. raising provisions with it.
Shortly after the Senator's left the
Nhite House Secretary of the Treasury
Aelton' the most outspokcn opponent
N Washington of passing cash bonus
.efsatlou at this time. came to the
white House and talked with the Presi
cent. .Ar. Harding told callers later.
1t was learned, that the best interests
ol the Treasury must be saferuarded.
Conversations around the Senate
charApef and ia committee rooms late
Today were generally to the effect that
me whole bonus situation had been
maze moro uncertain than ever. and
mere We're a few who even took the
Ne| mat the bonus may he put over
until after election next fall.
peSpite the present cloudy outlook
however, the best opinion seems to be
mat the situation will be untanrled
somehow and legislation put through
'or the soldiers which President Hard
Ms VIII. sign. There is no clear vision
70 be discovered anywhere as IN iust
now inns IS TO be ACCOMPLISHED. hut
selance Is placed on the overwhelm-
ng desire Of so many Senators, espe-
'I,any those coming up for reelection
snlS lail, TO get on record as voting
.or me bonus, so as not to ALLEVIATE
'"e solder vote in their states
ASKS Senator's to Call Again
4niS solution may be worked out
n.N' week, and the President today
stsgeSted to the Senators that they
s.ouio sio come to see him in the next few
as@ preferably with some definite
P'sh ior raising the money.
MeAutlinp hp pvoe;J J-,A