New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-06-16
McCumber Announces He
Will Bring Measure Be-
fore Senate Regardless
of Wishes of President
Republican Caucus
Scheduled Monday
White House Insists Tar.
iff and Subsidy Shall
Not Be Sidetracked

W NhonlNO ON. June ID NOntrO-
Fversy over the soldiers bonus bill,
which has been simmering IN the
Senate for days. reached the point to-
day where it boiled over. Senator Nc
| Cumber, chairman Of the Finance Com
mittee. served notice on the Senate
Republican leaders that he intended
70 offer n motion to take up the bonus
bill and lay aside the tarM bill NJ an
early date. He will do this regardless
Of the fact that In a conference with
Senator Lodge at the White House to-
day the President declared against lay
Ing aside the tariff bill in order 10 take
up the bonus bill.
Tho President is understood to have
taken the position the tariff bill and
thl subsidy bill should be passed
ahcoi Of the bonus bill. Mr.. Harding
is also said TO have reiterated to
Senator Lodge that he was opposed to
the McCumber bonus plan. This at
| titude Of the President has been we'll
understood for some time.
Decision Of Senator McCumber 70
force the issue on the bonus bill. plus
the fact that the President is ac-
lively opposing the laying of the tariff
bill aside. has created ar acute situa-
tion in the Senate. In some quarters
/ il was declared the Presidents leader
| ship was at stake and that this was the
crucial test Of whether the President
in the future would be able TO have
decisive say in legislation.
Caucus Called for Monday
Senators LcAs-. Clrtis and other Re-
publican leaders on learning that
Senator McCumber would offer a mo-
ton to take up the bonus bill and thus
set the tariff aside. determined TO call
a conference % Republican Senators.
This conference will be for the pur-
pose Of considering whether the tariff
bill should bo displaced by the bonus
bill. Senator iodgf announced that the
conference would be held Monday
morning at 10 o'clock Il Is the pres
cnt intention Of Senator MeCumber 70
offer the motion 20 take up the bill
soon sitter the Senate meets at ii
o'clock Monday.
| In the conference DtIHtfH ofNhANA
! Lodge and the President. Senator
Lodge is understood 10 have agreed
with the President that the tariff bill
ought not be displaced by the bonus
bill A majority Of the Republicans
! doubtless would take this view in
! conference. However, the Republicans
who insist on taking up the bonus bill
are not in a mood TO be bound by the
conference. Senator McCumber does
I not intend to withhold his motion,
either at the instance of the President
| or the Republican conference. He de-
clares the Republican party is in honor
, bound to pass a bonus bill and Il ought
! 10 do 50 without further delay.
Whether the motion Of Senator Nc
I Cumber 10 proceed TO consider the
bonus bill will be adopted is doubtful
| Nearly all the Democratic Senators will
vote for it, Senator McCumbcr has
! canvassed the situation and has given
/ il out that he expects the motion TO
! prevail. Some Of the Republican lead
ers assert that the Senate will refuse
to lay aside the tariff. Indications arc
/ the vote will be close
Tariff Action Jeopardized
/ Strong advocates Of the tariff bill de-
J clare hat II the motion 10 take up the
/ bonus bill prevails the whole legisla-
tive program will be upset and passage
Of tariff bill this session will be jeop
I ardized
Senator McCumbor professes to be-
/ lieve the bonus bill can be passed in a
\ few days. But there is little expecta
/ tion Of this among other Senators.
/ With thirty or more Senators openly
against the bonus bill the indications
arc this strong opposition will force
/ long discussion. II is also predicted
opponents Of the tariff bill will take
| advantage Of the chance 70 delay II b.
| prolonging the bonus debate.
Opponents Of the bonus bill said to-
day Secretary Mellon had figures which
/ he had disclosed to some members o.
the Senate intended TO show tho sc-
/ Cumber plan would cost more than 'lc
Finance Committee report indicated.
President Harding is expected 20 call
Senator McCumber into conference al
| the White House in the next day OF
1.-TWO and urge him not 20 force the
Vbonus bill TO the front. Senator Nc
| Cumber. however, is not disposed 70
yield 10 the President or any one else.
and his mind is made up 10 90 ahead.