The Brandon news., 1922-09-07
NOTES FROM THE GALLERY OF
THE SENATE
(Written expressly for The Brandon
NewS)

(Written expressly for The Brandon
News)
For several days, the Bonus
question has been the all absorbing
theme in the Senate.
The fight for the soldier Compen-
sation bill was begun with ring
| ing speech by Senator McCumber
in it's behalf. He spoke two hours,
making every conceivable argument
for the justice of paying our boys
an adjusted compensation. His
speech was clear, forceful and logic
al. Senator Wadsworth of New
York, criticized that part of it when
he said that If we did not pay them.
they woud not flock to the cOlors
| if another war should transpire. Mr.
| Wadsworth said that ''Our boys
were SO truly patriotic that they
would never fail us in any emerg-
ency.
Senator Underwood, Of Alabama,
Democratic leader of the Senate,
made comprehensive outline of the
situation based on the economic Sltu-
| alton, and spoke in opposition to the
passage of the bill at this juncture,
but paid glowing tribute to the
valor of our service men. He said
he would much rather have served
his country on the front than in the
Senate Chamber.
An amendment offered by Sena-
tor McNary, of Oregon, called the
Reclamation Amendment was severe
ly criticized the day it was offered,
L. 1nt A1 hxy ma
jOrity vote the next day, as that will
add $3.50, 100000 to the cash of the
bill 1t is feared by the upholders
of the bonus that it will add another
reason for the veto by the President.
The amendment to set aside the
interest on foreign loans by the
United States to pay the bonus came
after a debate lasting seven hours.
Senators Sterling, Dial and Williams
spoke against the bill. Senators Cap
per, McCumber Cameron, Bursum,
Robinson, Pittman, LenrOot, Town
send and La Toilette urged the pass
age of the bill.
The bill was passed on Thursday,
Aug 31st by vote of 81 to 22.
Senator Reed, of Missouri, made
ringing speech in defence of the
bill, ending with the statement that
it must be paid and should have
been paid when the war ended.
Sutherland, of Virginia, advocated
it's passage in no uncertain terms.
Among others who discussed the bill
were: Sterling, McKellar, Pomerene,
Owen and Watson. Senator Heflin,
Of Alabama, made very eloquent
appeal in behalf of the bill. He
drew q picture of the nations in
tereSts that came knocking at the
Capitol doors, ship subsidy, profiteer.
high tariff, Wall Street in various
trusts, all receiving help from the
public till, but when the poor soldier
came, he was roughly brushed aside.
He was given ''halO" and left to-
starve. His speech was thrilling and
very impassioned, however, while
he was making it / noticed much
talking and laughing going on among
the Republicans. One is rather dis
appointed with the behavior of Mr.
earned Lolms in the Senate. There
seems to be a tendency to laugh
and make fun when ever Mr.. Hef-
lin gets up to speak, and yet he may
be somewhat sophomore in his style.
He has ina gination, language, fer
vor, which so many of the senators
seem to lack altogether. A number
of them never get up to speak at
ALL Senator Lodge spoke strongly in
favor of the bill He referred to the
action of other nations, notably
Canada, Australia, and New Zealand
in rewarding their soldiers. He said
it was absurd to think this country
could not afford to pay an adjusted
compensation. That our credit as Il
solvent nation was never better. He
said it should be paid. He said SINH
lar gifts had been paid to our
soldiers following all our wars. With
the bill adjusted, as it is, he said,
''It seems to me a not unreasonable
expression of gratitude, which
hope, this country will always feel
to the men who fought for it, and
for one, am wholly ready to vote
for this bill, and l hope it will be
come a law"
1 notice that the conferees ap-
pointed from the Senate are all In
favor Of the bill. 1t remains to be
seen whether if the President vetOes
it, a two thirds vote can be secured.
hope so.