Evening journal., 1922-05-29
DEMOCRATS TO
DICTATE BONUS
CONTINUED From First Page. }

AtAN@4 NCA0S 90 2 httatAs
The Democratic Senators have no
adopted any program regarding tn
bonus beyond reaching an under
standing to do everything in thei
power to put the Republicans in Z
hole" Many OF the Democratic Sen
stors are committed to vague prom
ises TO provide bonus, but they re.
Gently have indicated that II they
assist'in putting over the $4,000, ,000..
600 raid demanded by the bonus
claimants in the American Legion
they will dictate the terms of the
MEASURE.
indications are that Mr. McCum-
ber. will get enough Democratic
votes to report out his bill. so that
fhe minority can propose an amend
ment granting an immediate cash
bonus to all ex-service men, which
plan is not approved by the Re
publican leaders or provided in the
bill the Finance chairman has
famed.
The majority of Senators in both
parties are not taking a hand in the
bonus muddle. although they are
finding a great deal of amusement
in the efforts of Mr.. McCumber and
his allies to bring the matter 10
vote for the sole purpose Of gaining
the political support of bonus claim
ants.
~. gs odr,y.+aa ~, hotb paDvhU
cans and Democrats that there is
little likelihood OF a bonus bill be-
coming a law this session unless
President Harding radically modi- /
fes the views expressed by him TO (
leaders OF both houses The Presi-
dent personally has not indicated
that he has shifted his position in
the slightest degree since he recon-
nsended the postponement Of the
subject as the only alternative, for
the legislatively unpopular sales tax
method of financing 1t.
Senator Watson (Ind), who is
credited by bonus Senators with
having reflected the Presidential
Views on political matters in his
speech to the Indiana Republican
State Convention in indianapolis on
Wednesday. will return in time to
30 present at the committee meeting
-oday. The Indiana Senator will be
requested TO reveal explicitly the
bonus bill will be passed by the
senate and approved by the Presi-
lent this session.
A great deal of importance is
attached TO the declaration OF Mr..
Watson because he is known to have
admitted his Indiana speech TO the
White House before leaving for In
iianapolis. Senators opposed to the
bonus and those holding neutral
position believe Mr. Watson express
ed his personal opinions, which
were in direct conflict with the pub
Bic declarations made by the Presi-
dent.
1t is probable that President
Harding will be requested to clear
up this point regardless Of any ex-
,planatlon that Senator Watson may |
make. Senators opposed TO the !
bonus who are preparing to carry
the fight against It TO every legisla-
tive limit, have indicated their de-
to secure irst-hand In
formation from the President re-
sarding the assertions made by his
personal friend and not to accept
second hand statements on the
iubject.
The majority OF Senators OF both
,arties are now fully convinced that ,
he $1,000. 900 bonus raid will +.
Mt be imposed upon the country II
he President adheres TO his present
rosition. =
The growth Of opposition to the :
onus raid shown by the adverse
ecision Of voters in Illinois In
lana. Pennsylvania and Oregon .
yfnna ries has convinced many SEN
,ors who were inclined TO favor the :
avment of cash gratuities to eX-
.rvice men that the people of the
,untry approve the wise and sound q
ews of the President.
Most OF the protests that continue :
come to Senators against the !,
mus reflect the utmost confidence 7
the Presidents judgment. These u
otests. which constitute a large
of the communications l.
ceived by members OF Congress
garding legislative matters. oppose
o bonus for a wide variety of rea- y
ms. A great many of the protests y
me from ex-service men who re- Ni
mt the attempts of officials of the
Legion to make it appear ~
lev are demanding cash rewards III
r their patriotic services.
In making public these protests, OF
anators have imposed the condition tu
nat the names of the writer's be
l,thheld. The reason is that citizens ed
'ho expressed their disapproval of re
he bonus have been subjected TO
'arious forms of annoyance. includ- 81
ng the boycott by Propagandists for o
he bonus Il
Some of the most Interesting pro- Ia
tests recently received are as fol-
lows: &
From a resident OF New York:
That you may know the sentiment c
Of your constituents regarding bonus 7
1 enclose an editorial {
rom The New York Herald apprais- {
ng it at its true value. New York
lands squarely behind the editor of
he Herald in his fight for right and
tstice His uDwavering champion
hdp of all the people will not soon
4 forgotten. l trust you will use
our influence against the bonus"
From a resident of Illinois: In !
ehalf of the scores of people with {
hom l have. had communications, ]
y well as myself, l protest against
e passage of bonus legislation. 1t
vicious in principle. demoraliziDg I