Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-08-30
Confusion Reigns
Over Soldier Bonus
Today In Senate
Passage OF Bill Before Adjournment Tonight Is Expected
But McNary Reclamation Blll And Aihee DeO'
Proposition Cause Fear of Veto
Cny United PreSs-I

Washington, Aug. 30.-An air OF
confusion over the soldier bonus Dill
enveloped the senate today as It pre-
pared to take final vote OH the mea-
sure.
While passage of the bill was eX-
pected before adjournment tomgnti
It's supporters feared that the uneX-
pected tactics Of the opposition IN et-
fecting adoption of the McNay $780,
0G0. 900 reclamation fund amendment
and the proposal of Senator Simmons
that the bonus be paid out of the in
terest on the $ll,000,000 allied debt
made il certain that President Hard
ing would veto the measure.
The impression prevailed that sem
ators who strongly opposed the bill
voted for these amendments In order
TO make a Presidential veto certain.
believing that the measure can thus
be killed
McNary, who had the backing OF
practically the entire western and
southern vote claimed the amendment
assured signature by the president.
These senators pointed out that as
the senate definitely had established
the principle of reclamation as ma
tional necessity by inclusion OF the
amendment. Mr. Harding would resi-
tate to block the bill in face of such
powerful support.
Quite as certain were those who
opposed the amendment that 1t meant
an inevitable vetO--even more Ger
tain than if the bill had been sent To
the White House without attach
ments.
Also, those who shared this view
declared the addition OF the reclama-
ton bill TO the 81 100000 esti-
mated expense of the bonus itself
placed the bill . in exactly the same
critical light as a year ago, when Mr..
Harding opposed ii because of its
large tax burden. Without attach
ments, they held, the bill was framed
10 meet the presidential objections
raised at that time, and on this
grsSund shey were hopeful Mr.. Hard
ing would sign the measure, despite
contrary reports.
Simmons amendment, equally un-
expected. provides that il the inter
est on the foreign debt is not Sufii-
cient to pay the bonus, the Secretary
of the Treasury is authorized to is
sue certificates of Indebtedness under
the second liberty bond act, redeem
able in future foreign interest pay
ments, or by sale of foreign bonds.
President Harding, it was declared
did not favor any plan of this nature,
and inclusion of it in the bonus mea-
sure, also was said to jeOpardize eX-
ecutive sanction.
Feeling unquestionably that Presi-
dent Harding would not support the
bill with these attachments, certain
advocates claimed that the sudden
shift in sentiment to the amend
ments was the part of carefully pre-
pared scheme by the opposition to
wreck chances of final enactment
into law.
AT any rate, while the bill now was
believed to have easy sailing, there
was a growing prevalence of opinion
that these latest DEVELOPMENTS had
blasted all possibilities that the mea-
sure might be forced over veto.
After passed by the senate the bill
must go to the house for a confer
ence before sent to the President.
This is expected TO consume several
days. and possibly weeks.