Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-30
LOAN INTEREST
To. PAY BONUS,
SENATE AGREES
Income From Foreign
Debts Voted as FL
nance Plan.

Washington, Aug. 29.-Without a
record vote the senate Tuesday ap-
proved the use of the interest on the
foreign debt in financing the soldiers
bonus. Also it substituted the
Smith -McNary S350,OOO.OO0 reclama-
ton bill for the land settlement option
in the house measure. Then 1t quit
for the day with a final vote on the
bonus measure at least one ana per-
haps two or three days distant.
The amendment authorizing the pay
ment of the bonus charge with the in
terest on the eleven billions of dol
lars owed to the United States by al
lied nations was proposed by Senator
Simmons, democrat, OF North Caro-
lima. He and Senator Reed, demo-
crat, of Missouri, and other members
urged it as q means, not only of meet
ing President Harding's requirement
that the bill carry a means of financ-
ing, but also of silencing the talk about
cancellation of the foreign debt.
A roll caf on the proposal was de-
manded at first but this demand was
withdrawn, presumably because of the
apprehension of leaders that quorum
could not be obtained at the then late
"a
senators signifying their approval of
the amendment and one senator, New
of Indiana, his disapproval.
Party Lines Vanish
The Smith -McNary reclamation
amendment was agreed to by vote of
43 to 26. Party lines disappeared on
the roll call, % republicans and 20
democrats supporting the amendment
and IS republicans and eight demo
Gratis opposing. All of the senators
from the far western states voted for
the proposal and all of those from the
New England states voted against it.
The Smith McNary amendment
would provide for the reclamation of
arid lands in the west through irri-
CATION, and swamp lands in the south
and other sections by drainage, the
work to be done under the direction
of the secretary of the interior,
through federal and state cooperation.
Veterans of the world war, the Span
ish- American war and the Philippine
insurrection would be given first op-
portunity to obtain homesteads and
also work on the various projects.
Opposition to the amendment was
voiced by Senators McCumber, repub-
lican. of North Dakota, in charge OF
consiu. and Robinson, democrat, of
Arkansas. The charge was made that
onnonents of the bonus were support
ing this amendment in the hope that
n would furnish an added reason for
tbe president to veto the bonus. Also
Il was contended that the reclamation
nroiect was important enough to
stand on it's own merits without, as
Senator Lenroot expressed it, being
taken to court on the backs of ex-
Senator McNary, republican, Ore
gon who proposed the reclamation
feature. told Senator McCumber that
the bill would stand a better chance
of executive approval with his amend
ment attached that it would without
IL The same argument was advanced
bv number of other senator's, some
Of whom declared that Mr.. Harding
had given his approval to the reclama-
ton plan.
Discuss Bonus Proper
Interwoyen with the debate on the
reclamation feature was discussion OF
tbe bonus itself, with Senators Sterl-
ing. republican, South Dakota; Will
iams. democrat, mississippi; Watson
democrat, Georgia; and Deal, demo
Graf. South Carolina, voicing opposi-
ton. and Senators Capper of Kansas
Colt of Rhode Island, LaFallotte OF
Wisconsin, republican, and others sup.
porting the measure.
Senator Williams declared that the
wears given by the soldiers either al
| home or oyersaS were not years sacri
feed as he said had been claimed but
years glorified and years sanctified.