Evening journal., 1922-05-03

failure of the committee to adopt
the presidents suggestion that a
sales tax be enacted to finance the
bonus, his statement to Senator
Watson that he would not sanction
! the use of the foreign debt until
money due from it was actually in
hand and his further declaration
that no bill would be acceptable
unless It made provision for the nee
essary revenue.
There is no reason to justify the
predictions of Senator McCumber
and his bonus associates that the
President will approve the. bill
which they will submit to him. For
the manifest purpose of convincing
bonus claimants whose votes are
needed of their complete sympathy
and sincerity Senators who expect TO
benefit in a political way meet pessi-
mistic predictions regarding the
Presidents attitude with the senti-
ent observation that "all this talk
about the President vetoing the
bonus bill is poppycock." They are
certain they eventually will pro-
duoe a measure which will meet his
approval.
Senators who are opposed to the
bonus on general principals think
otherwise. They are absolutely GER
tain the President will give deeper
consideration to the pledge of his
party to practice economy and re-
trenchment in the administration OF
Government. 1t is their further con-
viction that the President has not
shifted his viewpoint to meet the
dire political emergencies OF a few
Senators and Representatives who
seriously believe the American Le-
gion can elect or defeat them.
The only point on which Senators
and Representatives favoring or OPP
posing the bonus are in agreement
is that the President will sign a
bonus bill If a sales tax is enacted
TO finance it. His suggestion In this
respect was contemptuously dis
carded by the managers Of his party
in the lower house and has not up 10
date figured in the plans OF oonus
raiders in the Senate.
That It will pop up again, how
ever. is quite probable, particularly
IL the President, as is expected re-
jcets out of hand the bill which Mr..
McCumber and his associates Will
take TO the White House. II was
quite apparent to Senators who re-
fuse to be intimidated by threats of
political reprisals from the Ameri- !
can Legion and other bonus advo- /
% Dradfdanffq
position is, increasing every day. |
Senators OF this frame of mind are
watching with considerable amuse-
ment the attempts OF Chairman Nc /
and other bonus Senators 70
frame bill which is intended to de-
ceive the President.
Senators who have discussed the
matter with the President entertain
no apprehension on this score. They
declare the President knows what
ne wants, and will not be cajoled by
appeals TO his benevolence to help
candidates use the
money of taxpayers to win the votes
II bonus claimants.
Senators who are daily made the
argets of the opportunities and
hreats of these claimants for gov
money have united in urg-
ng the Finance Committee TO get
he matter out of the way as soon as
possible Much of their time Is now
aiken up with listening to argu-
nents Of lobbyists for the bonus Dill
II acknowledging protests against II.
They believe the bonus contro-
'ersy should be settled as soon as
possible, in order that they may de-
-ote themselves TO the serious bust
less OF the government, IN which
lfty times as many persons are in
crested as those in the bonus pro-
ect. Wherefore they express the
lope that the President promptly {
viii express his opinion OF the Nc
lumber measure and indicate on !
What terms, II any. he will accept
ny legislative undertaking In this ,
ne.