The New York herald., 1922-07-26
DECIDE HARDING Is
SINCERE ON BONUS
Politicians Of the Legion See
That His Opposition to
Bill Is Immovable.
GLOOM IN THEIR RANKS
Vice-Chairman of Legislative
Committee Issues State
ment on Senate.
GLOOM IN THEIR RANKS
Special Dispatch to THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. C.. July rs, ( +.

Special Dispatch to THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c.. July rs.
At last the politicians in the Ameri-
can Legion have decided that President
Harding is sincere in his opposition to
the pending bonus BILL which provides
for $1,000 100000 raid on the Treasury.
much of which would go to able bodied
ex-service men who never saw service
overseas.
John Thomas Taylor. vice-chairman of
the legislative committee of the Ameri-
can Legion, in statement just issued
said:
The attitude of the President in re-
fusing to discuss the procedure of
the Senate is of particular signifi-
canoe. If the Senate Is not influ-
enced by the Chief Executive our
bill will be disposed OF during the
month of August, according to
schedule. We have absolute assur-
ances of the determination Of the
Senate to pass our bill as agreed to
in its iron bound resolution.
A note of gloom was manifested IN
Mr.. Taylor's communication addressed
to the American Legion. He intimated
strongly that the President might ex-
press a wish that the bonus bill be in
definitely postponed. in which event IT
is more than probable the Senate would
concur.
Referring to the Presidents attitude
on the legislative jam In the Senate, Mr..
Taylor said
Tho majority leader of the Senate
had an appointment with the President
on July 13. but was not granted an
audience until July IA. when, it is un-
derstood, the President advised him that
he cared to take no part in the prob
1ems of the. Senate while the coal strike
was yet unsettled. The Presidnt i'm
piled that the adjusted compensation
bill. the tariff bill and the ship subsidy
bill were problems of the Senate and
not his problems.
Trying to Save Bill.
Frantic efforts are being made by the
politicians IN the Legion to save their
bill, which is growing more unpopular
daily in the Senate. Many Senators who
are getting lukewarm in their support
are being prodded by Legion agents.
while propaganda Is being sent to the
Senators through the mails. Mr.. Taylor
makes this candid admission:
Your national legislative committee
continues to maintain its daily contact
with Senatorial leaders. We are receiv-
Ing the assurances. OF tne leaueTS tndl
Immediately after disposing OF the tariff
the adjusted compensation bill will be
passed. Present indications are that the
Senate will vote upon the tariff bill not
later than August IT,"
Senator Watson (Ind.), one Of the Re-
publican leaders. Is not so optimistic
over an early vote on the tariff. He
said to-day, he did not expect to reach
vote on the measure until September
1. II at that time. Then he said the
bonus bill would be taken up and dis
posed of In four days
The Indiana Senator admitted the
bonus program may be influenced by the
conference with the President by the
Republican leaders. which has been in
definitely postponed due to the coal and
railroad problems now confronting him.
The Republican leaders have no intima-
ton as to when the President will feel
at liberty to take up with them the
legislative program in the Senate and
until then they Intend to push the tariff
bill as rapidly as possible. and ito mark
time on the bonus and the ship subsidy
bills"