The New York herald., 1922-02-27


bonus propagandists that popular sem
CT the legislation.
Effect of Publicity.
It was not until THE NEW YORK
HERALD pointed out the disastrous con-
sequences of the bonus scheme that
Senators and Representatives coming
under this classification began to look
into the situation. Since that time dis
illusionment has been encouraged by
the great outpouring of popular senti
ment against the bonus scheme.
The failure Of Chairman Fordney of
the House Ways and Means Committee
and other ardent bonus advocates, who
still see great political possibilities in
the American Legion, to develop any
tangible or real plan for financing the
raid has alienated great many former
supporters of it. These men, who are be-
ing rigidly held to the pledges they
made under a misapprehension as to
the present situation, are looking for
avenue OF escape
Mr.. Fordney and the dwindling
group of bonus advocates are not re-
ceiving anything like as much help as
they expected from the general run of
their associates. The fact is, Mr..
Fordney is practically playing a lone
Rand" The task of finding the money
tcipay the pill has been cheerfully un-
loaded on his shoulders. His admis-
sion yesterday that he had been unable
TO find any way marks the most critical
leriod in the history of bonus legisla-
ton.
Sales Ink Was Last Straw.
The greatest blow struck at it was,
IN TACT, from its most ardent support
ers. Their refusal to sanction the
adoption of a sales tax to finance the
bonus. to which the great majority had
committed itself. knocked the pins out
from beneath it. Between the bonus
end the sales tax the majority men,
bers in the lower house find themselves
between the devil and the deep sea-"
They still favor the bonus, but they are
against the sales tax, which is one
feasible way pointed out by President
Harding for financing it.
What Mr.. Fordney and his associates
will propose next is a matter of con-
lecture. They will produce some sort
of a plan. There isn't much doubt
about that. But the chief value of it
will be to protect it's sponsors from
the wrath of the bonus propagandists.
Every single plan for financing the
raid to date has proved unsatisfactory.
Two or three are being kept "alive"
as desperate alternatives. Just which
one will be finally settled on as the
least Objectionable is a mystery.
Passing of the Buck.
At the present writing il looks as if
Mr. Fordney and his coworkers will
pass the buck" to President Harding
and Secretary Mellon by putting
through bill that will certainly incur
Presidential veto for reasons that will
be generally approved by the people Of
the country.
The mounting tide of opposition to
the raid in tie Senate makes it rea-
sonably certain that the President will
veto any haphazard and valueless
scheme. The bonus maverick" that
the House will probably pass for rea-
sons solely political may get through
the Senate. though there is less chance
for 1t now than there was a week ago.
Almost every one of the ninety-six
Senators and 435 Representatives be-
lieves that President Harding will veto
bill framed on lines indicated at pres
ent. The vote bludgeon welded by the
legion may be sufficiently powerful to
pass the measure over the Presidential
veto in the lower house.
The growth OF opposing sentiment In
the Senate makes 1t practically certain
there will be minimum of thirty FIVE
votes against repassage,. which is more
than enough to stop it. Under the
rules, a two-thirds vote is required to
pass measure over a veto. Twenty
four Senator's UP to date have declared
themselves to be unalterably opposed
TO the bonus raid. At least ten others
ere expected 10 fall in line within the
next week.
Battle TO wage ruriousIy.
In the meantime the battle win wage
f,iriously Both supporters and oppo-
nents continue to dump arguments for
and against II on the harassed Senators
and Representatives, a great many
more Of the latter than OF the former.
The proponents Of the scheme are
training every ounce OF power they can
command to hold their forces. The
opponents are doing even better. Every
development of the last week has been
most encouraging to the opposition and