New-York tribune., 1922-03-14
Plan to Adopt
Bonus Without
Debate L ails
Eleventh Hour Disagreement
in Committee Is Likely
to Throw Whole issue
Open 10 Amendments
Bill Called ''Gold Brick
''Father Is Haste, Mother
Fright, and Its Name Is
Bunk Says Harry Hawes
From The rrt1unc's Washington Bureau

From The Tribtnc's Washington Burenu
WASHINGTON, March 13.-House
leaders failed tonight in conference
with Chairman Fordney and members
Of the Ways and Means Committee to
agree on program for handling the
soldiers bonus bill. But, despite the
disagreement, Mr.. Fordncy announced
that be would call upon his committee
for favorable report on the meas
ure tomorrow.
Heavy pressure from various ele-
ments in the House is declared to be
the cause OF the apparent upset in the
plans to force the bill through the
lower body under a suspension Of the
rule preventing amendments and re-
quiring a straight vote for or against
as it has been drafted by the committee.
In the face of signs Of increasing OBJ
jectons to such course, it has been
confidently predicted there would be
no hitch. To-night's Disagreement was
a complete surprise.
Had there been an agreement upon
the suspension, the situation In the
House is such that there was not the
slightest doubt that the bill as re-
ported by the Ways and Means Com
mittee would have passed easily. Should
the bill now be considered by the
House under the usual method per-
mitting amendment and leaving the
length of time for debate to the mem
bership directly, CONJECTURE as to what
form it will have when it goes to the
Senate is difficult. The only thing
that seems to be certain tonight, it is
declared, is that the adjusted compen-
sation advocates in the House consti
tute tremendous majority.
Unmovcd by MELONS Views
The Ways and Means Committee
showed no indications to-day of being
deferred in it's purpose by the re-
newcd opposition of the Treasury De
partment, voiced in yesterdays letter
from Secretary Mellon. Republican
members met this morning in executive
session They declared they were un-
moved, but offered no other comment.
One member Representative James A.
Frear, Republican, of Wisconsin, sent
reply to the letter, in which he
charged Mr. Mellon with seeking to
defeat the legislation by leaving only
the repeatedly rejected sales tax al
tentative.
After tentatively agreeing to two
minor changes in the bonus bill the
committee adjourned, with the under
standing that final action would be
taken tomorrow. The alterations strike
out from the bill the clause requiring
veteran to make his choice from
among the FIVE options within six
months after enactment and reduce
from 40 to rs per cent the premiums
added to the amount of base adjusted
pay in figuring the value of home and
farm aid grants.
A member of the American Legion,
Representative Harry B. Hawes. Demo-
crat, Of Missouri, delivered vitriolic
attack upon the committees bill to-day.
In unsparng terms he described the
measure as "an unfortunate child Of
Congress-" whose "father was Haste,
its mother Fright and its name is
Bunk"
"The measure now under considera-
ton proposes to sell the soldier gold
brick to secure his vote" said Mr..
Hawes. at proposes to soothe the
alarm of the overburdened taxpayer
and control his vote. 1t is 'gct-rich-
quick program which, if presented by
private citizen, would be outlawed by
the blue sky law prohibition of every
state in the Union.
Glad to Miss "Sob Stuff"
at will be presented under a rule
which will not permit debate or amend
ment. The rule has one advantage: It
will prevent a deluge Of sob stuff
speeches which would fill the red
blooded soldier with disgust.
at has but two understandable mo-
tives: To save a vote or gain one
at is in reckless disregard of the
Presidents advice, in defiance Of the
objections of the Secretary of the
Treasury, aud without respect for the
warning of the Comptroller Of tn,
! Currency.
"The soldier, when he understands
will condemn, and his anger will in
crease as his perplexities and annoy
ance multiply.
"The citizen, whom it attempts t,
delude, will secure the truth from
\ tcontIausd On asxt uass,