The New York herald., 1922-06-18
Borah Replies That Plat
form Did Not Promise
Treasury Raid.
PRODDED BY DEMOCRATS
Ashurst Questions Sincerity Of
Author of Measure-Asks
What Is Program.
By LOUIS sEIBoLB.

The critics Gncluding tie news
papers) can take 1t from the Hon.
Porter ]. McCumber, Senator from
North Dakota, that he will not permit
Congress to adjourn until it passes a
bonus bill.
Eighty-three days ago Senator Nc
Cumber predicted that the bonus bill
just passed by the House would be
put through the Senate within ten
days"
raid on the Treasury for the benefit
of ablebodied ex-service men made his
latest prophecy this afternoon during
heated debate in the Senate, which
was precipitated by the reference to
dispatch from Washington printed
in THE New YORK HERALD this morn
ing.
The debate over the bonus which
followed was impromptu. 1t was ex-
ceedingly lively and not lacking in
comedy features. The dispatch was
cited as the basis for demand by
Democratic Senator'S that Mr.. Nc
Cumber either keep his deal with
them to advance the bonus bill ahead
of the tariff or explain his reasons
for not doing so.
Goaded by the Democratic Senator'S,
who insisted that Mr.. McCumber had
promised ten days ago to move to set
aside the tariff for the bonus. there
was a rather comprehensive reflection
of the Senatorial mind for two hours
on the subject while the naval appro-
priation bill technically was under dis
cussion. Mr.. McCumber, who was
manifestly embarrassed by the prod
ding of both Republican and Demo-
cratic associates, pleaded earnestly
with the opposition to agree on a
fixed period for debating the bonus
bill after the tariff had been passed.
His appeals fell on unsympathetfc
ears. for several Republican and DEM
ocratic Senators informed him they
would not consent to any curtailment
of their privileges to fully express
their opinions of the bonus scheme.
Misinterpret Harding.
The North Dakota Senator was any,
thing but amiable as he attempted TO
parry the attacks on his management
of the bonus measure. In answer to
specific questions propounded by Sem
ators Borah Idaho) and Underwood
(Ala.), Mr.. McCumper surprised his
associates by insisting on misinter-
preting the attitude of President Har-
ding, who has been widely praised for
his quiet courage" in opposing the
bonus.
Despite the Presidents positive
statements regarding the matter. Mr..
McCumber informed the Senate that
he sincerely believed the President
would sign the bonus bill passed by
the House and slightly amended by
the Senate Finance Committee.
Both Senators Borah and Under
wood pressed Mr.. McCumber closely
on this point. Mr.. Borah asked the
Finance chairman If he knew the
President would sign his bill. Mr.. Nc
Cumber replied that he believed the
President would do SO, which provoked
Mr.. Borah to declare he would con-
sent to a vote on the bill in ten min
utes II the President would say he
would sign 1t. Mr.. Borah took care,
however. to say he would vote against
the bill regardless OF the Executive at
titude.
Under further pressure from Mr..
Underwood and Senator King (Utah).
both Democrats. Mr.. McCumber ex-
pressed the opinion that MS bill met
the objections raised by the President
against the House measure. He would
not say. however. that the President
had expressed his satisfaction on this
point.
1t was quite apparent from the line
of quizzing directed in Mr.. McCumber's
direction that the majority of Senators
on both sides hold the opinion that the
President should remove any doubt as
to his attitude on Mr.. McCumber's bill
before the Senate ventures into serious
discussion of II. There scarcely Is any
doubt that the President will be re-
quested to prevent further equivoca-
tions or Misrepresentation OF his ex-
act position in the near future. The
majority OF Republican as well as
Democratic Senator's sincerely be-
| lieves the President dlsapproves of the
bonus scheme for reasons which he
frequently has made clear. They do
think he should move at once to OBJ
viate the necessity for further iegisla-
ton by making a specific and final
statement OF his views.
Ashurst interrupts.
The injection OF the bonus into the
discussion Of the naval bill was pre-
cipitated by a demand from Senator
Ashurst tAriz.) for a statement by
Senator McCumber of the Republican
position. The Arizona Senator, who
was most earnest in his-support Of the
bonus, called attention to the public
statements that Mr.. McCumber had
agreed with Senator Lodge, Republi-
can leader. TO continue the tariff before
the Senate before any other business
"DemocraiIs enators in favor q
the bonus eenator Ashurst. !
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