The New York herald., 1922-06-24
both SIDES RALLY
FOR BONUS FINALE
M'Cumber Believes Vote
Will Come Before Tariff
Is Out of the Way.
PRODDED BY LEGION
Advocates Still Hope Har-
ding Will Send Message
on Soldier Aid.
HOUSE LEADERS ASSIST
Confer Almost Daily With
Senators in Charge of
Treasury Raid.
HOUSE LEADERS ASSIST
Special Dispatch TO THE NEW ronH HERALD


New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. C.. June 23.
Bonus action in the Senate remained
practically at standstill to-day while
both sides quietly corralled their forces
for the test of strength which is likely
to come at any time.
Chairman McCumber of the Finance
Committee admitted he expected the
bonus question to come squarely be-
fore the Senate soon. He feared IL
would be impossible to hold in check
the bonus advocates until after the
tariff bill was disposed Of as the i'm
preston was growing that it would
take longer to get final vote on that
measure tEan was predicted
The main reason for tl.a present ces-
sation Of agitation in th5 senate IL
due to the hope that President Harding
VIII see fit to send to the Senate a mes
sage, either verbally or in writing, set
ting forth in unequivocal terms his posi-
tion on the pending legislation. Ur-
less he does so. steps VIII be taken by
the Senate 10 get an expression from
him, There is no denying the fact that
many Senators are in doubt about the
Presidents position concerning the
pending bill They are not disposed to
accept the ultimatum contained In his
letter to Chairman Fordney of the Ways
and Means Committee. to the effect he
0DnOgQd n
not provide source OF revenue to
finance it. AS an alternative he sug-
gested postponement of the legislation.
Athough the President repeatedly has
stated his position on the subject 1t
has not changed the opinion advocated
In the Senate that he will sign the
pending bill, which provides no means
to meet the financial requirements from
s4'ooo.ooo,oo0 to $1,000, 0,o0o.0oo.N
Unaware of Scheme,
Inquiry at the White House disclosed
me iact that the plans of certain Sena-
tors to Smoke out" the President on the
bonus controversy has not come TO the
attention OF the Executive. 1t was said
on behalf OF the President that no such
inquiry has been received and he would
not indicate his reply should such q
question be propounded to him
Republican Senators admit there is
slim chance to hold back the bonus
bill until after the tariff bill Is out of
the way i'm keeping with resolution
adopted by the Senate recently. And 1.
Is doubtful IL much effort will be made
to do so, since the Senators are being
prodded numerically by the American
Legion. which Is demanding action.
lAQinn DIRT. fo Lai =
by House leaders, who TANNED the
measure through that body In record
time House leaders confer almost
daily with Senator'S In charge of the
bonus raid, offering suggestions as to
the best method to put the measure
through the Senate. Advice along that
line was given the Senate leaders to-
day by Joseph w. Fordney. chairman Of
the Ways and Means Committee.
However, the gag rule adopted by
the House limiting debate to six hours
cannot be applied to the Senate, whetH
the rules call for unrestricted debatS
on any subject before the Senate unless
two thirds of the members vote to apply
restrictions.
Senator Williams (Miss) caused com
ment by introducing an amendment to
the bonus bill which provides that no.
body In possession of an income Of
5000 a year or more shall become a
beneficiary under the operation OF the
bonus bill or any clause thereof. since
Senator Williams Is unalterably opposed
TO the principle of the bonus for able
bodied soldiers, 1t is understood he
introduced the amendment In a Pick
wickian sense.
Points to Washington.
There was slight flare upon the bonus
fight in the Senate when Senator Borah
Gdaho) took the floor to defend his
statement that George Washington did
not accept bonus for his services
during the Revolutionary war.
Senator Borah read several extracts
from historical documents, which stated
Washington not only refused to accept
a bonus, but refused point blank to ac-
cept any remuneration for his services
during that long conflict,
lie read an extract from "MarshalPs
Life OF Washington to the effect that
the Supreme Executive Council of Penn
sylvania, after the revolution, decided
that since Washington's private fortune
had suffered materially because of his
services to his country compensation
should be made to him TO pffset In part
Ilis losses II was stated that Washing
ton promptly discouraged the suggestion
when overturos were made to him along
that line, although there Is no doubt
the nation would have responded gener-
ously 10 the appeal and Congress would
quickly have made liberal allowance"
Mr.. Borah's remarks were in reply to
q statement made IN the Senate by SEN
ator Watson (Ga.), who argued that the
bonus advocates had as a precedent mo
other than the great, immortal Washing
ton, who always stood for bonus
Senator Watson stated that wash
ington accepted bonus for his services
i'm the Revolutionary War"
Senator Watson did produce historical
documents to show that Washington. ac-
cepted cash and land bounties for his
services in the French and Indian wars
and for his services against the Indians
I'm the campaign up the Ohio River.
"rhe main point At ISSUE" he said, us
that the proud, honorable and high
minded George Washington did not hesi-
tate to accept n bonus and no one
could accuse him Of commercia iallzing
patriotism"