Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-03-08


During the course of conversation
with three members OF the House
and several newspaper men. Chairman
Fordncy of the Ways and Means Com
mittee referred to members OF the
Senate as "aged and infirm gentle
men," because of their opposition to
the bonus bill.
The statement was made after
Fordney had said that the bonus bill
as introduced would pass the House:
But the House passed a bonus bill
in prior occasion" Fordney was re-
minded, land the Senate sidetracked
il.
.'Yes, | know that" he answered.
"What those aged and infirm gentle
men over there will do with 1t | don't
know"
"Yes, aged and infirm is right"
said an unidentified member OF the
House. Inform in other ways than
physically" ;,
Mr.. Fordney is SO years old.
The Harding administration, 1t was
announced at the White House today,
'intends 10 keep the faith" and VIII
insist upon I conference between coal
operators and miners with view to
preventing the threatened strike IN
this industry. 1t was stated IN TINS
connection that the President has IN
structed Secretary of Labor DAVIS 10
insist upon the operators and miners
conforming to their agreement maze
on March 20, 1920 that before any
further strike was ordered a con-
ference would take place between the
contending factions with a view TO
settling their differences.
Up to the present time the Secre-
tary of Labor has been sounding
out the sentiment among the opera
tors and miners as to their lnten-
tions to abide by the agreement, OF
March 20 but no direct request has
been placed before them for a con-
ference. But the decision reached at
the Cabinet meeting means that the
government will use every means IN
its control to prevent a strike OF coal
miners.
"Either the sales tax or postpone
ment of bonus legislation was the
word that went forth from the White
House today to the bonus raiders at
the Capitol, headed by the Republican
members of the Ways and Means Com
mittee. They have been spreading the
impression that President Harding
would favor the new plan for pay
ment of the bonus by adjusted service
certificates.
The announcement from the White
House was official, authorized and
emphatic. The Pesident's position on
the bonus has not changed, 1t was SAID,
since the letter he wrote to Chair
man Fordncy declaring that either
sales tax ought to be provided TO
pay the bonus OF else the bonus ought
to be postponed.
So strongly was the Presidents
position stated that it was taken by
everyone who heard the announce
ment 10 mean that the President Will
veto the present bonus bill if it comes
TO him without the sales tax provl-
sion.
Senator Pat Harrison, of Mississippi
head Of the Speakers Bureau in the
last campaign, says ne believes the
| women Of the country are entitled to
equal rights with men.
! Since the adoption and ratification
of the Nineteenth Amendment to the
Federal Constitution said the Sena-
tor today, giving women the right
, TO vote, no obstacle in the law should
/ be countcnanced that would allow any
discrimination on account of mar
riage or sex. The legislature Of my
state is now in session and it may be
that your request for an expression
! from me comes at this time in connec-
tion with the fight that women are
making to have passed such a bill"