New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-08-24
No Reason for
etO ON Bonus,
McCunlber Says
Senator Declares Conditions
Have Changed Since the
President Opposed Sol
der Award Last Year
Victory Believed Certain
Author of Bill Said To Have
Predicted Second Passage
if Harding Turns il Down

"a sFroBs The Tffbaas's WdshfrGtoa Barscu
WASHINGTON, Aug. Ex-senator
4eCumber, chairman Of the Finance
Gomrnittee, responding TO question by
Senator Robinson in the Senate to-day,
said he could see no reason why the
president should veto the bonus bill.
she disclaimed any information as to
EsSslat the President would do.
81 fSenator McCumbef contended that
Exhibitions had changed since 1921,
ssyhen the President opposed passage of
ethe bill and when Secretary of the
Treasury Mellon also fought it.
81 sAlthough Senator McCumber made no
,,psitive prediction that the President
.s4ould not use this veto power, it is we'll
lxown that he was rejecting belief
(which obtains in the minds Of num-
her of the Senate leaders that the Pres
ident can be dissuaded from such a
course. McCumber is understood to
itave informed some of his colleagues
that, while he believed the votes could
be mustered TO pass the bill over the
veto, he hoped the President would
ssign 1t.
Conditions Changed
After prepared speech in support
OF the bill, Senator Robinson called at
tcntion to reports that the President
would veto the bill unless it carried
specific provisions for raising the nee
essary money.
IS "Has the Senator any information
on this subject?" asked Robinson, "as
to whether this bill, as proposed by the
Finance Committee, with no provision
in 1t to meet the expenditures which it
contemplates, will encounter Presi-
Dental yeto?"
81 have no information whatever as
to what the President will do" replied
BIcCumber. "The conditions which &C
tuated, or which seem to have actu-
ated, both the President and the Sec
rotary Of the Treasury in 1921 no
ltnger exist. The change in the bill
whereby there is only small sum to
be paid each year for the next three
years would seem to me 60 meet every
objection which the President and the
Secretary then urged against. can see
no reason why the President should
veto the bill"
Week Of Debate Seen
Senator Robinson approved the views
of McCumber. He said there was no
reason for prolonged debate, and that
the measure should be passed. He de-
cleared the governments obligation
ought not be repudiated and discred-
lifted, and that it should have been met
"a year ago.
Senator McCumber spoke at length
for the bonus. The opposition will be
wood, among others, is expected to
48speak. 1t is possible the bill will be
passed this week, but it is generally
expected the debate will continue a
,lsEeek or ten days.
M Senator Ashurst read in the Senate
q letter from C. Hamilton Cook, ma
tional commander of the Disabled
sAmerican Veterans of the World War,
strongly Endorsing the bill.
Obligations Cited
stee amendments were adopted Senator
lsursum proposed his cash bonus
measure as an amendment, and ex-
pected to make a long speech on it..
The question was suddnly put, how
ever, and the amendment voted down.
Bursum expostulated that he intended
TO make a speech, and he moved re-
consideration of the vote and will
speak tomorrow. After less than
three hours consideration the bill was
laid aside temporarily.
s SMcCumber. in his address, covered
tthe moral obligation of the govern
taent. He devoted much attention to
the argument that the bill would be
grave burden to the country. He
sdeclared there had been unnecessary
delay in funding the foreign debt. On
this matter, he said:
sThe British government recognizes
that interest on it's obligations to the
United States will be due in Septem-
her. The British government has in
eluded in its budget of expense for
the ensuing year an item to cover the
interest due the United States. That
sum is just. as much assured as though
the actual bonds had been issued.
81 THAT answers the Presidents re-
auest for delay. From the source in
dnated by the President we can meet
She 1923 obligation of this bill and
meet it nearly three times over with
out either issuing bonds or levyine
4 additional taxes.
"a Denies It's Policies