Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-07-03
BONUS MAY GO
INTODISCARD

trihuted to DISSATISFACTION VIZ" tiiV
Harding policies as distinguished
from the methods followed in Con-
gress is a matter of lively discus
sion and will probably continue TO
be so for some time.
Even the Democratic critics OF
the President and the policies OF
the majority in Congress concur IN
the opinion OF Republican state
leaders that the results indicate
greater dissatisfaction with leSiS-
lative undertakings than with those
/ Of the Administration.
The fact is most Of the leaders
who are not directly responsible for
conditions in Congress confidently
assert the belief that the people OF
/ the country are generally satisfied
Mr.. Harding is making an earnest
effort 10 eliminate the causes for
complaint against his party. but he
is constantly Obstructed by Congress
is the view.
However this may be. there is no
question that the primary results to
date have clearly indicated dissatis-
ton with either the Administration
or Congress. II not both. For this
reason the North Dakota results
may prove Of great value in encour-
aging a change in both the policies
and methods Of Congress. induce
greater respect for the soundneSs of
Executive judgment and make for
closer cooperation between the two
branches OF 'the Government.
- %
the North Dakota contest already
has been to provide agitation for the
removal of the bonus irritant from
the Congressional situation. There
already has been tremendous
change Of sentiment in both houses
regarding this enterprise. The prim-
AIRY results have exploded the fallacy
that it is within the power of the
politicians OF the American Legion
to dictate the results OF political
contests.
Greater significance is attached to
the defeat Of Mr.. McCumber in this
respect than 10 any previous bonus
event The North Dakota Senator
was the most active champion of the
bonus raid In either house Of Con-
gress. He actually believed the poll
ticians in the American Legion
could deliver TO him nearly. IL not all.
OF the $4,000 soldier votes in his
State II they had been able 10 de-
liver 50 per cent. Of them Mr.. Nc
Cumher would have been renomin-
mated. There can be no question of
this fact. The trouble was that Mr..
Frazier. when Governor. put through
a bonus bill on the theory that It
was a State and not a national obli-
cation. and got the greater number
u soldier votes.
Senators and Representatives who
permitted themselves 20 be coerced
BY the threats OF the American Lee
zion have devoted chief attention to !
his phase Of the North Dakota re- |
iults. Many 81 them who manifest |
d fenzied desire to obey the COM |
hands Of the politicians in the |
american Legion now appear to be |
recovering from their fright
They are paying more attention to |
he legitimate and convincing state
nents made by the President. Sec
etary Mellon and Senators who re-
ard the bonus rather as a national
menace than a political benefit
There was much less talk today
monE Senators who were most en-
husiastic for Immediate action on
ne bonus than before the results
4 the North Dakota primaries. out
4 such discussion as concerned II
here appeared TO be crysfallizing
movement 10 dump the Fordney-
fcCum Der bonus bill into the dis
ard and adopt a scheme that will
70 more valuable in form 20 the poi
ticians and OF far less substantial
'enefit 20 bonus claimants
Every attack on the bin has re-
ulted IN modification Of its original
The cash bonus for all
Ionus benehciaries was dropped In
he House Of Representatives..
'hanges made by Mr.. McCumber
nd his associates In the Senate have
urther stripped the measure OF
most Of the provLsions arrogantly
emanded by officials Of the Ameri-
an Legion. Il Is not improbable
hat before the bill comes into the
pen Senate further revisions de-
igned to make it appear less often
I've to the taxpayers OF the coun-
~ viii be made
Several Senators who were willing
D vote for a bonus bill" have
eryed notice on the more ardent
OF the scheme that they
III not vote for the McCumber
leasure. Most OF the. Senators Of
his state Of mind withheld their
tatements until the fate OF Mr.. Nc
lumber had been decided.
Mr.. McCumber's defeat already
irtually has eliminated him as the
lost important factor In the bonus
tuation. Whether he will keep up
is enthusiasm for It is doubtful.
n any event an entirely new pro-
osal is expected to be presented
hen the next attempt is made TO
asurrect the McCumber bill. That
ieasure. which certainly would have
let with a veto at the White House.
lready is regarded as good as
dead"
Bonus Senators In both parties
tho still suffer from the delusion
hat the politicians in the American,
,egion can control their individual
estinles undoubtedly viii make an
tempt 10 carry through their pro-
ram OF passing a bonus bill. The
hances are they win not insist
lpon the McCumber scheme. As
here are almost as many bonus
'ians ready to crop out Of the sena-
orial Incubator as there are mem
'ers OF that body il would be idle TO
peculate as 20 the exact character
IF the scheme behind which the ma
ority of bonus Senators will line up.