Omaha daily bee., 1922-03-16
New Differences
Develop Over
Soldier Bonus
Republican Leaders Differ as
TO Method of Calling Up
Bill-Await Return of
Gilleti.

Washington, March lo.-There de-
yeloped today a difference among re-
publican leaders in the house as TO
the method OF calling up the soldiers
bonus bill on the floor. One group
still favored consideration next Mon
day under suspension OF the rules,
which would cut off all amendments,
while another held the opinion that
delay in action would be preferable.
On all sides it Vas stated that q
decision would await the return Sat-
urday OF Speaker Gillett, who is in
Florida with President Harding.
Meantime there was speculation
among house members as 10 whether
the speaker would entertain mo-
ton to suspend the rules and pass
the bill.
Chairman Fordney OF the ways and
means committee disclosed that he
had been informed by Mr.. Gillett
before the speaker lett Washington
that he had better not depend en-
tirely on suspension oil rules as
the procedure for getting the bill
before the house Since he has been
in Florida the speaker has indicated
that he might not entertain motion
for this purpose, because OF what he
regards as the importance OF the
bonus measure.
Unusual to Refuse.
Representative Mondell, Wyom-
ing, the republican leader, said today
i. would be rather unusual for the
speaker to refuse TO entertain such
motion if a majority of the house
desired consideration of the bill
under such a plan. He added that
it was his judgment that a majority
did SO desire. .
Representative Garner, Texas, the
ranking democrat on the ways and
means committee, declared that If |
Speaker Gillett were persistent |
against the passage of the bib he
has the power in his office TO pre-
vent its consideration"
In the discussion in house cloak
rooms and corridors some OF those
advocating consideration OF the bill
under a suspension of the rules adj
vanced the argument that to take it
up under special rule might result
in complications. They said. there
was the possibility of motion to
recommit it with instructions to the
committee to relnsert the cash bonus
feature and provide for an excess
profits tax to finance it. Some con-
tended that such motion probably
would prevail
May Consult Harding.
Those counseling delay beyond
next Monday think that before the
house acts there should be an in-
formal conference by house leaders
with President Harding. particularly
in view OF the action of the ways and
means committee in voting to re-
port out the bill within 10 minutes
after Secretary Mellon and Comp
troller of Currency Crissinger had
appeared by invitation and opposed
the bank loan section of the ad-
iusted service certificate option.
Their idea is that after this confer
ence the house republicans could
have a party conference at which
there could be an agreement to re-
iect all amendments except such as
the. majority might agree upon.
1t was indicated in some quarters
that the presidents view would be
sought by some house leaders imme-
diately after his return from Florida,
Saturday. There also is 70 be con-
ference with Speaker Gillett on that
day and many members Of the house
are of the opinion he will be able to
9i, first-hand information as to how
the president regards the bill in its
present form and also whether he
looks with favor on the plan to put
it through under suspension Of the
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