Evening journal., 1922-03-23

opposition to II. Just how many
members have actually been lnfu-
enced by the storm Of adverse criti-
cism remains TO be seen.
Insinccrity OF Many.
or the members who joyously will
record themselves In favor OF the
bonus. probably not 10 per cent are
really for II. Their decision has
been influenced directly by the
threats OF political reprlsals made
by a noisy minority OF ex-service
men who have offered 10 trade votes
for votes. A sample case is that OF
a Western State where a private poll
showed that while every member Is
against the bonus, all OF them are
going TO vote for II for political rea-
sons, and for none other.
Leaders In the bonuI fEht have
encouraged waverlng supporters
with subtle and covert assurances
that tho Senate will accept the GER
uhcate loan bill and that the Presi-
dent Will finally accept H.. The most
diligent inquiry to determine the
basis for these reports today failed
for the very excellent reason that
there was none.
fet number OF members assert
ed with manifest conviction their be-
lief that despite the positive and
convincing statements made bv the
President he will sign the certificate
loan .bill-lf Il ever reaches him.
Responsible Senatorial opinion Is
that the bogus bonus bill which
the House Is to pass Will never get
through the Senate.
Chairman Fordney's Opinion.
Chairman Fordney OF the Wavs
and Means Committee was asked
this afternoon regarding the reports
concerning the President He wa
Informed that ne had been quoted
as expressing tho opinion that the
President will accept tho certificate
loan bill He replied:
Il don't know what action the
President will take. I think we have
a good bill-the best that could
have been framed. I have been as.
sured by the Senate Finance Com.
mittee that Il will pass that body
successfully. The bill has beer
changed IN a great many respect,
to meet the Presidents objections
and while don't know what he will
DO, think he will approve IT,"
Inquiry OF members OF the Senat,
Finance Committee revealed the fac
that the certificate loan bill had no
been discussed and that no member
OF the committee had authorized 4
statement as TO his position regard
ing the bill.
Whether the Senate Finance Com
mittee accepts or rejects the measur,
was held by the bonus members o
, the lower house 10 he OF little conse
; quence. Most OF them don't care
2 rap what happens 20 tho measur
after they have recorded themselve
, IN favor or n and assured "the sol
dier boys" OF their wholehearted de
o. votlon.
e Dclugc of Bonus Propaganda.
81 Members were deluFed with propa
3 ganda In favor Of the bonus yester
, day, which was met with a counter
current Of unorganized opposition
One OF the literary ventures took III
j. form Of an attack upon Presider
. Harding which was interpreted 20 re
. fleet the uneasiness OF the AMERICA
q Legion officials over the situation. I
o a letter addressed TO MT Fordne,
n Joseph IT. Henerman, former editc
! OF the Stars and Stripes, and an al
e dene bonus propogandist. directl
a charged President Harding with ir
e sincerity. His letter which was ser
d 20 all eX-service men In Congress
% described an alleged conference wit
o Mr.. Harding during the last Pres
=, dental campaign at Marion.
90 Mr.. Hefferman declared that III