Evening journal., 1922-03-15
BONUS RAIDERS
NOW TALK GAG
Movement to Gust Gillett IF
He Refuses to Sanction
Muzzling
SAY HARDING
WON'T DARE VETO

WASHINGTON. March 15-CUnlt-
ed Press)-A movement to throw
Representative Ginett. Mass. out OF
his place as Speaker OF the House, n
he refuses 10 sanction gag rule for
the bonus-is under way among the
House Republicans today.
Az framed In secret. the plan Ia
TO call a conference OF prominent
Republicans. especially bonus friends.
Friday when Gillett comes back from
his holiday with President Harding
In Florida. This conference would
then demand that the speaker ac-
quiesce In the pro-bonusers' plan for
a gag rule under which the bonus
bill debate would be limited and the
measure would go through without
amendments In very short time.
Without this gag the measure
would be subject 10 amendments
which conceivably might alter its
nature radically-perhaps even per
nit OF hanging on the cash payment
and the excess profits tax method OF
raising the necessary revenues
Should Gillett refuse as now indi-
Gated the Republicans would then
undertake 10 call him from the chair.
Removal Of speaker OF the
House Is unprecedented. But II could
be accomplished under House rules.
The House membership was describ-
cd today as having its head down.
bull fashion"
Gillett IN times past has rolled up
the wrath Of number Of Congress
men, particularly the Westerners.
and this old grudge. plus a refusal
which would hamper bonus plans.
might muster sufficient strength 10
actually eject him from his place OF
power. members suggested.
President Harding viii not dare
veto the soldier bonus bill IN the
opinion OF certain ways and means
committeeman today.
This strik ing view they based upon
their Interpretation Of the commit
ices qulzzng Of Secretary Mellon.
Controller Crlssinger and Gov.
Harding Mellon In particular. these
congressman suggested had failed
10 make out a case against the bill
and besides had admitted giving an
erroneous statement TO the commit
tee.
president Harding will not be
able to follow Melons advice any
longer. and he don't dare veto the
bill on Melons say-so." chortled one
committeeman. who predicts that
the House will pass the bill over
whelmingly. that the Senate will not
alter II radically, aud that by next
January or February" Il will be law.
The delay. he explained. will be
due 10 the fact that the Senate will
want 20 see what occurs IN the mat
ter Of British debt bonds. news OF
which may come when Congress has
gone for the summer.
While Congressman pondered over
the Mellon suggestion. they had an
other deeper concern-whether or
not Speaker Gillet would permit a
gag rule TO operate on Monday so
the bill could 20 through without
amendment. The power 10 bring up
the bill under a suspension OF tho
rules which permits no amendments
and allows only 40 minutes debate
Is absolutely with the speaker. II he
refuses TO allow Il the bill must be
thrown open 70 amendments. and a
move probably will be made 70 re-
store the cash bonus.
Palm Beach reports indicated Gil
let was opposed 20 this procedure.
Fordney and others. however were
confident that gag or no gag the
measure would 60 through with a
large margin In its favor.