Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-08-31
PRESIDENT MAY
VETO SOLDIERS
BONUS MEASURE.
Leaders Gain the impress
sion That Harding Will
Not Approve Pending Bill
After 1t Is Adopted.

Washington, Aug. 30,--All pend
ing amendments to the soldiers
bonus bill were disposed of to-
day by the senate, but whether
final vote would be reached to-
morrow depended upon the num-
ber and length of speeches
With favorable action assured,
the paramount question in the
minds of friends and foes alike
was the reception the measure
would receive at the White House.
There still was no official word
from the president but callers
who discussed the subject with
him today said they gained the
impression that the addition Of
the land reclamation project and
the provision for the payment Of
the bonus out OF tho interest on
bill even more Objectionable than
1t was IN its original form,
Again today the possibilities of
a veto ran through senate de-
bate. Senator McCumber, repub-
lican, North Dakota, in charge Of
the measure. cOntended that as
reported the proposed legislation
met the objections heretofore tX-
pressed publicly by the president.
He added, however. that he did
not know what new objections
might present themselves
Senator Borah, republican, Ida
ho, an opponent of the bonus, dis
agreed with Mr., McCumber, con-
tanIi,,gr ~
ly counter to some of the exec
utive's objections and failed to
meet others. He referred particu-
larry to Mr.. IIarding's request for
pOstp tpOnement until industrial and
financial conditions had reached
q more normal state and his dis
approval Of piece meal" pay
ments to the veterans.
Leading proponents of the bill
,urged throughout the debate that
the senate refrain from loading
down the measure with addition
al amendments which might fur
nish further ground for veto.
All proposed changes were re-
jectcd by decisive majorities. First
the Bursum amendment to pay
the veterans half cash immedl-
ately and the remainder in five
years, was voted down, Al to 27.
Then, without roll call, tho
Smoot proposal to pay the bonus
with a manufacturer sales tax
was disagreed to.
Senator Smoot presented and
argued at length in favor of his
plan to give each veteran paid UP
life insurance policy, maturing in
twenty Jplrs or sooner at death
but this was rejected, As to Is. Be-
fore offering it the Utah senator
eliminated the sales tax provision.
AS they will on the final vote,
party lines disappeared on the roll
calls today. The Bursum amend
ment was supported by sixteen re-
publicans and eleven democrats and
VS. opposed by thirty-one repub-
licans and thirteen democrats. The
Smoot insurance amendment re-
ceived fifteen republicans and three
democratic votes with thirty repub-
licans and sixteen democratic votes
in opposition, with the rejection 55
to ,, of an amendment by Senator
France, republican, Maryland, con-
templating the donation by the
veterans of part of their bonus to
the establishment Of educational
institutions anG hospitals over the
country. The bill was thrown open
to general debate with the twenty
minutes limitation removed. Dis
cussion was opened by Senator
Shortridge, republican, California,
who spoke for an hour and half
in support of the measure. Severa
other senators plan to deliver pre-
pared addresses tomorrow.
SSenator Shortridge argued that
the government could meet the
financial charge that would be made
by tho bonus and contended that
the. country owed an obligation tc
the men who fought its battles. In
this connection he pointed out tha'
Ia bonus had been paid to all gov
|ernment civilian employees tol
several years, and that owners Of
the property drafted by the gov
ernment during the war had beer
reimbursed for their losses,
IF it were just and right to re-
imburSe owners Of the property
drafted why is it not just and fight
to reimburse the soldiers for thels
I, 81