South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-03-18
FREARLAUNCHES
BITTER ATTACK
ON BONUS FOES
Tells House Mellon Wrote
to Ways and Means
Committee.
KITCHIN HITS MEASURE
Cillett, Returning From Flor.
ida, Brings No Harding
Message.

WASHINGTON. March 17-De-
velopments today in the soldiers
bonus situation included:
The return to Washington Of
Speaker Gillett with the announce
ment that he was open to argu-
ment" as to permitting the bonus
bill to be called up in the house next
Monday under a suspension of the
rules.
An unexpected visit 70 the capitol
by Rep. Kitchin of North Carolina,
the democratic house leader. who
urged his party members on the ways
and means committee to submit a
minority report opposing certain fea-
lures Of the bonus measure.
An attack on Sec'y Mellon. Comp
troller Of the Currency Crissinger
Wall Street and others, delivered in
the house by Rep Frear. republican,
Wisconsin.
Mellon DisClaims Argument.
An announcement by Rep, Tread
way Of Massachusetts,, that he and
Rep. Hilson of Connecticut, both re
publican members of the ways and
means committe would submit joint
minority views on the bonus bill.
A disclaimer by Sec'y Mellon in
letter TO Rep. Frear that he had at
tempted in any of his letters regard
ing the bonus legislation to argue
the merits Of the soldiers bonus"
Returning this evening from trip
to Florida with Prest Harding,
Speaker Gillett told newspapermen
that he had brought no message on
the bonus for house leaders from the
president. He said he was still of
the opinion expressed before he de-
parted from Florida that the bonus
measure should not be taken up un-
der a suspension of rules, but added
that he would not make a final de-
cision until after ne had conferred
with his friends.
Chairman Fordney of the ways
and means committee, and other re-
publican house leaders expected 10
confer tomorrow with the speaker.
II Mr. Giilett refuses to entertain
motion on Monday to suspend the
rules and there appears to be
growing belief at the capitol today
that he Would-there was a POSSIBLE
ity that the house republicans would
hold a party conference tomorrow
10 discuss procedure in handling the
bill under a special rule.
Difference OF Opinion Develops.
The conference by Rep. kitChin
with the democratic members of the
ways and means committee, develop
ed a difference of opinion among
those members as to a minority re-
port.
As now contemplated by Mr.. Kit
chin and others favorable to the
plan. the report only would declare
against the bank loan provision OF
the adjusted certificate and in favor
of the original bash bonus provision.
The democratic leader who has
been absent from congress for near
~ a year on account of i'll health did
not appear on the floor. He went
direct 10 his Office where prominent
democrats were invited 10 meet him.
He remained at the capitol for an
hour or more. but aside from those
who conferred with him, few mem
bers Of the house knew that he was
in Washington.
Rep. Frear's assault on critics of
the bonus bill was delivered just be
fore the house adjourned. Besides
Sec'y Mellon and Comptroller Girls
singer. he attacked newspapers in
New York, Boston. Philadelphia,
/ Washington and other cities and
fnanciers of New York City gener-
ally. He charged that the rich were
undertaking 10 impose a sales tax
on the people in connection with the
bonus and declared that in his judg-
ment the bill as drawn without any
+ tax provision would be passed by
the house by even a larger prpOr-
tionate vote than the 10 20 5 that
Continued on Page TwO.)