The New York herald., 1922-06-22

tion's program TIE Presidents posi-
ton on the bonus has been made rather
clear to everybody in the country out
side of the Senate chamber.
He does not look with favor on any
bonus bill Ihas fails to provide the
revenue with which to finance 1t or Is
not based on the sales tax. The Presi-
dent has repeatedly made this state
ment. the last occas:on being yester-
day. when an unofficial although au-
thoritative statement OF his views was
made known 10 the Senators on all
sides of the controversy.
Almost every Senator knows that
under present circumstances bonus
bill can be put through the Senate for
reasons that are almost solely politi-
cal. BY the same token every Senator
knows that no bonus bill vetoed by the
of the two-th.rds vote necessary to
override his veto. These facts admit
of no dispute.
But an honest difference of opinion
is asserted by both Republican and
Democratic Senators as to the Presi-
dents position despite the extremely
clear estimate held of it throughout
the country. Hence discussion of the
bonus in the Senate to-day inevitably
swung around TO the White House and
held firmly il that direction.
AS a result OF this confusion of
views 1T is the purpose of both Repub-
lican and Democratic Senators to seek
light on the situation from the Presi-
dent himself. When the bonus is next
called up Mr.. McCumber will be re-
spectfully requested to state the rea-
sons which actuated him in declaring
the President will approve of his bonus
bill. If he IL unable to do so a re-
quest will ne directed to the President
himself for the information desired.
Two Democratic Senator's this after
noon expressed their determination to
move in the matter. Their chief rea-
son is that they believe a positive
declaration from the President will
put an end TO the bonus fight in short
order and result in either its passage
or abandonment. Whether their ven-
ture will succeed or not is a matter of
speculation. Thera is little doubt it
will be made.
Senato.' Ladd, Non Partisan Lacquer
Of North Dakota, read a long speech
In support of the amendments pro-
posed by him to the McCumber bonus
bill. The Non-Partisan League Sem
ator expressed little admiration for the
measure submitted by his colleague.
The amendments he proposed were de.
scribd by the anti-bonus Senators as
Soviet stuff" Mr.. Ladd would turn
the Government printing presses loose
in issuing certificates to pay the bonus
out OF fund to be raised by taxing
the banks Of the country 12k per cent.
on their operations.
Puts Blame ON Banks.
In urging the virtues Of his scheme
over that of Mr.. McCumber's. Mr.
Ladd said:
ut is my belief that most of this op-
position to the soldiers compensation
has been fathered by the big banks"-
which theory Is very good Non-Par-
tisan League doctrine. Continuing, he
said:
Instead of being so Jealous of the
public interests and so fearful Of the
consequences upon the Federal Treas
ury, the bankers are more worried at
this time lest there shall be some
actual cash distributed among the peo-
pie Of the country that will for a time
restore business In such a manner as
to result in their temporary losing
control Of TIE situation"-which Is also
good Nom Partisan League stuff.
Senator Watson. the Georgia radical,
also contributed some historical data
to the tones on the bonus. Replying
to Senator Borah's declaration that
George Washington never accepted a
bonus. the Georgia literateur devoted
half an hour to proving that the
Father of his Country recognized the
principle of the bonus by favoring the
grant of land and money to the SOL
diers in the Continental Army.
Mr.. Watson established his case by
reference to huge pile of historical
works on hie desk and wtile his ad-
dress had little If any reference to the
controversy over the present day de-
mand for Treasury cash it possessed
the virtue OF thorougtness in research,
scholarly presentation and was, in
fact, much more entertaining than
most Of the speeches made, on TIE
sllbjpct