The New York herald., 1922-07-10
SENATE RESCUE SQUAD
TO BEG HARDING,S HELP

tive has been the criticism of It be-
cause Of manifest Inequalities and total
disregard for economic necessities
worked out on scientific instead of a
political basis.
But distressing as is the Republican
position on the tariff, there is no ques-
ton that the bonus scheme, which is
solely designed to win the votes of
soldiers. Is the main cause for most
of the trouble in the Senate. Senators
who attach unwarranted importance
to the political influence of the OF
ficials Of the American Legion talk
a great deal about the tariff, but thsy
think most about the bonus. and they
dent personally expresses his disap-
proval of the project now pending or
authorizes Senator Lodge to do So
The fact Is that most Of the Repub-
lican Senators hope the President will
put an end to the bonus hysteria
without further delay. In doing so
he will not be compelled to depart
from his policy Of refraining from in
truding his views on Congress. He
will be requested by the leading repre-
sentatives of his party in the Senate
to help them to remove the most
serious obstruction to the remainder
OF the program on which the party is
to make its bid for Endorsement in
the November elections.
A direct and positive statement from
the President will have the effect of
either removing the bonus irritant or
expediting the passage OF the McCum-
ber bill. In any event a conclusive
statement from him. one way or the
other, will clear the atmosphere and
the turmoil In the Senate and hasten
the adjournment of Congress.
There does not appear to be the
slightest doubt but that Senator Lodge
and his associates will attempt to con-
vince the President that the ship sub
the elections. How the President will
receive this suggestion is a matter of
conjecture. His sincerity in urging
enactment of legislation which will
save the merchant marine from fur
ther generalization Is not doubted by
even the critics of the policy he has
suggested
The chief reasons for objection to
the Presidents plan for protecting the
trade interests of the country are (1)
lack OF definiteness as to the ultimate
cost; (2) archaic prejudice in agricul-
tural sections due to lack Of appreci-
alton of the advantages of the plan,
ignorance as to the value of 1t and
hostile propaganda largely based on
parochial reasons, and (3) the injec-
tion of the liquor issue into the situa-
ton.
OF these three reasons the last is
perhaps responsible for the greater
part Of the opposition in both houses.
The Anti-Saloon League bloc has
seized on the liquor feature Of the
situation to exaggeratc the Importance
Of 1t and demand the rejection of the
wholly logical and desirable scheme by
its Congressional servitors
1t appears to be the opinion of a
great majority OF Senators in both
parties that the merchant marine bill
cannot be passed at the present ses-
sion. Republican Senators who hope
the President will consent to with
drawal of the shipping bill for the
present, are probably intent on pass
ing the buck" in the hope that the
situation which will exist after the
fall elections will be more propitious
than at present.
1t is the bonus. however. which fills
the larger part of the Congressional
eye focused on the White House for
the next day or two.