The New York herald., 1922-05-29
DEMOCRATS IN DEAL
TO DICTATE TERMS
FOR BONUS VOTES
Indicated McCumber viii
Let Them Add Cash Fea-
ture to His Bill.
TO BREAK DEADLOCK
Chairman Will Try To-day
to Get Raid Measure Out
of Committee.
WATSON WILL BE QUIZZED
President Also to Be Asked if
Indiana Senator Correctly
Voiced His Stand.
WATSON WILL BE QUIZZED
BY LOUIS sEIBoLD.
! Special Dispatch 10 THE NEw YORK HERALD
New York Herald Burenu
Washington, ID. c.. May 28

New York Herald Burenu.
Washington. ID. c.. May 28.
Chairman McCumber of the Senate
Finance Committee will make an al
tempt tomorrow to move the bonus
raid from the committee to tie Senate
chamber. If he succeeds it will be be-
cause his Democratic associates give
to him the support withheld by his
Republican colleagues.
Five of the Republican members of
tie committee are unalterably opposed
to the bill which Mr.. McCumber de-
sires to have the committee recon-
mend for passage. The remaining five
Republican members, headed by him.
self, are in favor of 1t. To break the
Republican deadlock Mr.. McCumber
will permit the Democratic members.
whom he denied participation in
bonus legislation, to. take hand solely
because their votes are needed
The Democratic Senators have not
adopted any program regarding the
bonus beyond reaching an under
standing to do everything in their
power to put the Republicans in a
hole" Many Of TIE Democratic Sena-
tors are committed to vague promises
to provide a bonus. but they recently
have indicated that IL they assist in
putting over the $4,000, O0O. 900 raid
demanded by the bonus claimants in
the American Legion they win dictate
the terms of tke measure.
Indicated Developments.
Indications tonight are that Mr..
McCumber will get enough Democratic
votes to report out.his bill so that the
minority can propose an amendment
granting an immediate cash bonus to
all ex-service men, which plan is not
approved by TIE Republican leaders or
provided in the bill the Finance chair
man has framed.
The majority of Senators in both
parties are not taking a hand in the
bonus muddle. although they are find
ing great deal of amusement in the
efforts of Mr.. McCumber and his allies
to bring the matter to 4 vote for TIE
sole purpose Of gaining the political
support of bonus claimants
1t is admitted by both Republicans
and Democrats that there is little like
lihood of a bonus bill becoming a law
this session unless President Harding
radically modifies the views expressed
w y, n 1aad ~ hNtI I. III.
President personally has not indicated
that he has shifted his position in the
slightest degree since Re recommended
the postponement of the subject as the
only alternative for the legislatively
unpopular sales tax method of financ-
ing II.
watson to Attend Meeting.
Senator Watson 0nd), who Is
credited by bonus Senators with hay-
ing reflected the Presidential views on
political matters in his speech to the
Indiana Republican State Convention
In Indianapolis on Wednesday. will re-
turn In time TO b. present at the COM
mittec meeting tomorrow morning.
The Indiana Senator will be requested
to reveal explicitly the authority for
his statement that a bonus bill be
passed by the Senate and approved
by the President this session.
A great deal Of Importance is at
tached to tie declaration Of Mr.. Wat
son because he Is known to have SUBJ
mitted his Indiana speech to the White
House before leaving for indianapolis
Senators opposed to the bonus and
those holding n neutral position be-
lleve Mr.. Watson expressed his per-
sonal opinions. which were in direct
conflict with the public declarations
made by the President.
IT is probable that President Harding
will be requested 10 clear up this point
regardless OF any explanation that
Senator Watson may make. Senator'S
opposed TO the bonus. who are pre-
pairing to carry the fight against Il to
every legislative limit. have indicated
their determination to secure first
hand information from the President
regarding the assertions made by his
personal friend and not to accept Sec
ond hand statements on the subject.
The majority Of Senators OF both
parties are now fully convinced that
the $4,000. 900 900 bonus raid will not
be imposed on the country II the Presi-
dent adheres 10 his present position.
The growth of opposition to the
bonus raid shown by the adverse do
clsion OF voters in Illinois, Indiana,
Pennsylvania and Oregon primaries
has convinced many Senators who
we're inclined to favor the payment OF
cash gratuties to ex-service men that
the people Of the country approve the
wise and sound views of the President.
Atlantic (,itv nv ROYAL RIue line Motorx