Evening journal., 1922-08-25
Want HARDING
VIEWSONBONUS
(cOntinued From First Pags)

Government cash 20 able bodied ex-
service men.
More than one-half OF the Sena-
tors who insisted two months ago
that the bonus should be lmmed-
lately passed regardless OF the OBJ
jections urged by the President and
I Secretary Mellon were absent when
the second days battle over It be-
gan. There was little or no enthus-
iasm displayed by the bonus Senators
who remained 20 take a hand in
! the fray. Their chief concern is
now to negotiate an agreement with
( Senators opposing the bonus 20 fix
date for a vote. How soon such
an agreemnet can be reached Is
matter OF conjecture.
The moet important element in
the situation in this respect hinges
on the ultimate attitude OF President
Harding on the bonus proposal
rather than on the plans for the op-
posing forces in the Senate. Most
OF the Senators OF both camps are
anxious to obtain a speedy recess or
adjournment In order TO fill person
ally important political engagements
at home.
The Senators in both parties op-
posed 10 the bonus are ready 10 pro-
ceed with their original plan to OBJ
struct the progrsss Of the bonus
through the Senate at every turn and
to carry on the fight as long as there
remains a prospect OF defeating II in
that body. They realize. however.
that the majority OF Republican Sen
ators, aided and abetted by a greater
number OF Democrats inspired by
political motives. intend 10 put the
bonus bill through regardless OF the
attitude Of the President and mem
bers Of his Cabinet and. the oppon-
ents believe. the vast majority OF
taxpayers OF the country. There Is
little question that the Senators
supporting the bonus and attaching
unwarranted Importance 70 tho po-
litical influence OF the American
Legion can put the bill through as
soon as the vote Is reached II present
conditions continue.
The most vital point in the bonus
controversy at this stage concerns
the intentions Of the President re-
garding It. Mr.. McCumber and the
other Republican leaders favoring
the bonus assert the President will
approve OF the modified version OF
the bill passed by the House and now
in the Senate. The opposition bases
its contrary opinion TO the statement
made by the President in his letter |
10 Mr.. Fordney and subsequently re- /
peated to members OF the Senate.
Confronted with this direct con-
hict OF views. the leaders on both
sides OF the fight are naturally anx-
ious 10 produce a definite statement
OF the President in order that the
deadlock over the bonus contro-
versy may be brought TO an end:
Senators representing both sides will
make an appeal within the next day
or two to the President TO reaffirm
the position he is known 10 have
held or TO indicate his satisfaction |
with the comparatively minor /
changes made in the House bill.
Whether he will consent to lend
his aid in clearing up the situation
Is a matter OF speculation. II he de-
cides 70 permit the Senate battle 20
proceed to a logical finish the de-
bate is likely to continue for some
time. Both sides wear an air OF
grim determination TO fight Il out.
But It Is also true that the leaders
of the opposing. forces would well
come helping hand from the White
House in order TO bring the issue 10
a conclusion.
The fact Is the majority OF Sena-
.ors are taking rather less interest !
IN the bonus debate than was ex-
Dected. This was shown by their }
tendency to ramble into other
lelds both yesterday and today while J
business in hand. A number of |
favoring and opposing the 5
bonus have prepared pretentious
Ipeeches designed by their authors /
o provide greater illumination on {
he bonus subject than has yet been !
evealed despite the two years J
vnangle over the subject.
At the rate of progress made 20 {
late It will take these Senators two
,r three weeks to express their :
opinion of the bonus proposal one I
way or the other. The realization !
Il this situation has caused a num- 7
,er of Senators, eager TO get away {
rom Washington, to canvass the I
,ropriety of appealing to the Presi- l
lent to proffer first aid to anxious
POLITICAL ambitions. No actual step 4
vas taken toward framing such a
equest this afternoon. but II was 4
uite obvious that before the dead r
ock progresses much further one {
rill be waited per letter or verbal 4
equest in the direction Of the White $
louise. I
Considerable Importance was at
ached by Senators opposing the
onus In the omission from the e,
,latform adopted by the Ohio Re ],
ublican State convention yesterday r
+ any reference 70 the bonus. The !,
PRESIDENT is believed to have been n
onsulted regarding the construc- Il
lon OF the instrument promulgated b
V his party associates at Columbus
he conviction that he was inform Il
d OF the plan TO omit any reference C
0 the bonus from the Ohio plat b
orm squared exactly with the un- o
erstanding OF the majority OF Sen $,
tors that he continues TO view the Il
onus proposal as unwise both In W
n economic and political sense at
le present time. 81
Senators In the confidence OF the u
'resident-and opposed to the ol
~. - ct
heir bonus associates TO embarrass %