The New York herald., 1922-07-23
HARDING EMPHATIC
!; in OPPOSING BONUS
Said to Have Informed a
Big Business Man of His
Attitude.
RESENTS THE DOUBTS
Reported Irritated Because
of Tales That He Might
Have Changed.
SENATE MAY DROP BILL
Firm Belief Now Is That There
Is No Chance of Passage
This Session.
SENATE MAY DROP BILL
Bsectui Dispatch to THE New YoRK HERALD.

Ssectul Dispatch to THE New YoRK HERALD.
New York Hernid Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., July 22.
President Harding. responding to in
quiries has told several visitors In the
last few days that he is unalterably
opposed to the McCumber compensa-
tion bill, which plans a $4,000, ,000. 900
raid on the Treasury for able bodied
ex-service men as political bait.
The President is known especially to
have reiterated his opposition to the
pending bonus bill to prominent
business man who went to the White
House. This man frankly told the
President the business world was de-
s'oralized for fear the McCumber bill
would be enacted, in which event. he
argued, business would be paralyzed
throughout the country. The Presi-
dent assured him there was no ground
for such anxiety, as there appeared to
be no prospect of Congress enacting
bonus bill at this session which would
meet his approval
Convinced that the bonus advocates
have made no headway in their effort
to have the Presiden. change his posi-
tion. opponents of the measure to-day
made poll in the Senate to find out
whether 1t would be POSSIBLE for the
friends of the bonus t. corral enough
votes to pass the McCrmber bill or a
modified bonus bill over Presidential
veto. Thirty of the sixty-fve Senators
present declared themselves opposed to
overriding veto.
Likely to Abandon Project.
Since the Constitution and Senate
rules require two-thirds of those voting
to pass bill over the Presidents veto
assured that the bonus hill is dead for
the remainder of this session.
In view of the Presidents opposition
to the measure there was much talk In
the Senate to-day around the idea that
H. would be useless to force the ISSUE
The Republican leaders may decide to
make formal motion to postpone the
measure indefinitely. %
One of the Senators who discussed the
bonus question at the Write House said
the President was somewhat irritated
because his sincerity should be ques-
toned. The President indicated that
any bonus advocate cou.1 learn his views
or. the question In a short while merely
by asking for them. scrators say the
President is firmly convinced that the
overwhelming sentiment In the country
Is against the bonus bill.
Convinced that the bonus bill cannot
be pulled out OF the legislative jam In
the Senate several Senators supposed to
favor 1t have left the capital for indeh-
mite periods.
Senator La Toilette (Wis). who was
ricked to inject oxygen III the fast dying
McCumber measure is back in his home
State conducting a vigorous campaign
for denomination. His return Is being
anxiously awaited by the bonus advo-
Gates.
Senator Norris (Neb). another bonus
supporter, has also gohe West for All
indefinite period. He docs not intend &C.
retu,n to the Senate until the hot weather
10 over. ".
So many Senators listed in favor Of
the raid are out of the city at present
that politicians OF the American Legion
are becoming concerned. They are
afraid IL the issue were brought before
the Senate unexpectedly the opponents
Of the McCumber bill would 60 far
toward eliminating il from the calendar
Doing Some Thinking.
However. they have their calls ready
for an emergency. although 1t Is likely
some Senators will not be so willing to
respond TO the appeal and the lash OF
the legion as might have been expected a
few months ago. The fact that the ex-
Eeryice men cannot be corralled like cat
tie for political purposes. as promised by
the politicians In the legion when they
first signed up Senators in support OF
bonus bill. has changed tho situation
completely. Now many Senator'S are
doing their own thinking on the subject
md are inclined to give more serious
consideration 10 the financial problems
involved and the effect upon the indus
tries of the country should the measure
be enacted.
Alarmed over the latest developments
the politicians in the American Legion
made new efforts to-day to get action
on tie mee sure In the Senate. Several
borus Senators were approached and
urged To come to thesv rescue. but they
gave the legion agents little encourage
ment The fact Is that the measure has
boz r.rer, so many black eyes within
and without the Senate that its chief
Senatorial sponsors are now getting
afraid OF II and are disposed to keep
hands off as long as possible.
At present they are side stepping the
issue gracefully II not convincingly by
declaring they can do nothing until the
Republican leaders have conferred with