The New York herald., 1922-03-26
Continued from First Page.

who desire to carry out the policies OF
the Administration to appeal to the
President for guidance. They have
assumed that Secretary Mellon has
spoken for the Administration in re-
plying to requests for information as
to the effect of the certificate loan plan
on the finances of the country. The
Secretary replied to such requests by
declaring the passage Of the House
bill would result in financial disaster.
In this opinion he was supported by
Comptroller Crissinger and Governor
Harding.
Senators who have not reached any
conclusion regarding the bonus do not
believe Secretary Mellon would have
taken the position that the bonus raid
would expose the country to unde-
sirable financial consequences without
the approval Of the President. They
are. therefore. inclined to believe that
the clear and definite statements of
the Secretary more accurately reflect
the views Of the President than the
vague and intangible versions gos-
siped among members of the lower
house.
VIII Clear Up Uncertainties.
The opinion was expressed by sew
eral Senators to-day that the Senate
would refuse to pass the $4,000. .000, 900
bonus raid II their conclusions that
Secretary Mellon has spoken with the
authority of the President proved cor
rect. At any rate there is ample jus
tification for the statement that the
Senate will not pass any kind Of a
bonus bill before making an attempt
at least to clear UP any uncertainties
that may exist regarding the ultimate
wishes of the Administration.
Until the Senate is more definitely
informed any prediction as to the fate
of the bonus legislation in that body
would be purely speculative. There
are three groups. The strongest in
number at the present time is in favor
Of a bonus. but not united as to the
form. Some members of this group
are in favor of sales tax, others sup
port a cash bonus plan to take in all
service men and third is in favor OF
using the foreign debt.
The next most important group IS
that which will follow the lead OF the
Administration. The members of this
bloc will rally to the support of a
measure which the White House IA
vors or with equal impartiality will
vote against any bonus bill.
Well Equipped to XIII Measure.
The third group. which is almost as
strong as that favoring the bonus, is
one unalterably opposed to bonus in
any form, and quite as numerous and
as well equipped to kill any measure
by obstructing it's passage IL such a
course Is decided on.
The most important leaders of the
Senate expressed the opinion to-day
that the certificate loan plan sent over
by the House will remain tucked away
in a pigeonhoe for the time. Sena-
tor Lodge said the tariff question will
be disposed OF before the bonus bill Is
taken up. The tariff bill has not yet
been reported by the Finance Commit
tee.
The tariff bill may come into the
Senate within the next week or ten
days. Asked when he thought the
bonus bill would be presented to the
Senate, Senator Lodge said:
"we'll cross that bridge when we
come to It. The measure is now be-
fore the Finance Committee, and the
members OF that body are nearly dead
from struggling with the tariff ques-
ton, for It will probably require some
little time TO dispose Of the bonus
question even after the tariff bill is
out Of the way"
Chairman McCumber said it proba-
bly, would require another week to dis
pose OF the tariff BILL and he would not
venture prediction as to the time II
would require for the committee to act
on the bonus bill.
There undoubtedly will be many
changes suggested" he said, but /
find no serious objection 10 It except In
the land settlement option"
Senator smoot's Opinion.
Senator Smoot, the ranking member
Of the Finance Committee. expressed
the opinion that 1t would be weeks be.
fore we can get to the bonus bill" The
Utah Senator made no secret IN his
opposition to the House bonus pan be.
cause II makes no provision for raising
the funds needed to finance 1t. He will
make hard fight In the committee fol
bin providing source of revenue.
The indications are that the commit.
tee will consume much time in its con.
sideration OF Ne bonus bill OF course
the bonus advocates will be "on theil
backs constantly. prodding then
gently and otherwise. but the members
or the committee, for the most part
are serious minded men. who are dis.
posed TO consider measures in tn,
light OF their effect and influence upor
the country as whole and not on one
group of citizens.
Their experience with tho tariff
schedules will serve them well in IN,
consideration OF the bonus bill. The,