The New York herald., 1922-03-17
Continued from First Page.

tested almost frenzied impatience with
the failure of Messrs Mondell and
Fordney to put the bonus through
without further ado were given to un-
derstand that those two leaders and
Representative Fess (Ohio). chairman
of the Republican Congressional Com
mittee, plan to call upon the President
for a further discussion of the bonus
ogre.
Mr.. Fess is opposed to the bill, pre-
sumably because his recent appeal to
Republican voters for funds to aid In
the coming Congressional elections
produced an avalanche of protests
against the bonus instead of cash. He
will throw the balance of his influ-
ence. which is very great, on the side
Of the President.
Hope to Convince President.
The persistence of bonus advocates
in asserting the President did not
mean what he said when he suggested
the sales tax as the most feasible
method to finance the bonus, is one Of
the most extraordinary developments
in the situation.
There can be no question that a
number Of leaders either have misin-
terpreted the direct statements of the
President or hold to the view that he
can be prevailed on to right about
face" and accept the views of the Re
publican leaders in the House.
At any rate the skepticism of these
men is a vital factor in the situation.
Their confidence is based chiefly on
the conviction that they can present
the certificate loan plan in such an
attractive light that he will accept it
as coming within the restrictions of
his letter to Chairman Fordney, in
which he urged either the sales tax
or postponement of bonus legislation.
Leaders of both parties who are OPP
posed to the bonus on general princi-
pies dissent from the optimistic views
of the bonus raiders and predict that
the President will stand pat" The
Presidents friends in both houses to-
day expressed great indignation over
the pretended obtuseness of the lead
ers, who have refused to accept the
Presidents statements as conclusive.
They also are chagrined over the
manifest attempt OF the bonus raiders
to pass the buck back to him after
he has summarily rejected previous
overtures in the same direction. In
this connection this statement made
by an official of the American Legion
is important:
Members of Congress in both par
ties promised to pass a bonus bill
and we expect them 10 keep their
promises. IL the House only passes
the bill they will not keep their
promise. A fake demonstration in
tended to fool service men will not
relieve either party of responsible
ity. The promise was that the bill
would be passed and signed. and
until il is passed and signed the
promise will not be fulfilled.
EXPLAINS Move for Caucus.
Representative Lineberger (Repr
CALI, who circulated the petition
among House members demanding
that a caucus be called for Tuesday
night was criticised by some Of the
bonus advocates for doing so. lie said
he was inspired to move for a caucus
because some time ago one was held
which instructed the Ways and Means
Committee to frame bill in keeping
with the restrictions stipulated by the
| President.
"The present bill does not meet the
situation" said Mr.. Lineberger. be
cause the President has been repeat
edly quoted as saying he was against
II. So it would seem necessary to call
another conference. when the whole
question can be discussed from new
angles. l am personally in favor OF
the sales tax in keeping with the Pres
ident's suggestion
When Representative Towner was
asked If he will call the caucus to
meet Tuesday night as requested In
the Lineberger petition. he said the
date was discretionary with him as
caucus chairman.
| There is a great deal OF speculation
tonight as to the attitude of the Presi-
dent when Messrs. Mondel and Ford
ney call upon him, while other bonus
advocates are laboring with Speaker
| Gillett to bring him into line with the
gag rule plan of forcing the bill
through.
The President. OF course, will re-
ceive the leaders and listen to what
they have to say. His supporters in
the two houses believe he will give his
answer Immediately, and that Il will
discourage further attempts to shoul-
der upon him the responsibility for the
bonus legislation.
Criticism Of Speaker Gilett is con-
demned even by some OF the bonus
leaders. Representative Greene (Iowa),
a member Of the Ways and Means
| Committee and an ardent bonus advo-
cate. said there would be no organized
effort to haze the Speaker into enter
tanning the motion to suspend the
rules on Monday so that the bonus bill
can be taken up. He admitted there
has been some discussion of the ques-
ton, but said that the matter had not
been taken seriously.
Leaders Mondell and Fordney said
there had been no essential change in
their plans for putting through the
bill. IL an opportunity is not provided
on Monday u is PROBABLE that spe-