The New York herald., 1922-07-15
Plan Is to Try to Have the
President Denounce the
McCumber Bill.
ENTIRE SCHEME NAY FAIL
Executive Said to Be Relnc-
tant to Shoulder Troubles
Of Congress.
ny LOUIS sEIBoLD.


Special Dispatch to THE NEW Yo.x hnRALD.
New York Herald Bureau
Washington. ID. c.. July II.
President Harding manifested only
mild interest In the demoralized legis-
lative situation which was briefly out
lined to him by Senator Lodge to-day.
The situation in the Senate which was
tersely described as rapidly getting no
better" was viewed by the President
as not nearly so important as some Of
the acute Industrial problems immedi-
ately demanding his attention.
The half hour. conference between
the President and the Senate leader is
understood to have turned chiefly on
the demands coming from every part
Of the country for solution Of the
fuel problem. At any rate the Presi-
dent clearly indicated to Mr.. Lodge
that the Republican majority in the
Senate would have to get along the
st it could without his assistance for
the time.
He held out the hope that circum-
stances might permit him to receive
a committee headed by Mr.. Lodge In
the next day or two to decide or I.
program which. will stand a chance
of getting through the Senate within
a reasonable time. The committee is
convinced and prepared to prove to
the President that only by the eIimi-
nation Of the $4,000 900, 900 bonus irri-
tant and the setting aside Of the shin
subsidy bill can the revolt against the
Sordney- -McCumber tariff measure be
topped.
President Not Com pla isant.
Discussion OF these things between
he President and Mr.. Lodge to-day
was OF fragmcntary character. The
President suggested that when the In
dustrial situation has cleared UP Mr..
Lodge and the other Senate leaders
bring to the White House a compre-
= hensive scenario OF the legislative
troubles for full discussion. Two or
three Senator'S who are credited with,
rejecting the Executive mind have
the impression that the President does
not view with amiability the efforts of
the party leaders in Congress to dump
heir troubles on top of the pile OF
problems Of Executive origin or re-
sponsibiIity.
He Is represented with having ex-
pressed the opinion that Congress
should require no further eplighten-
mcnt on his position on the bonus. He
inclines to the belief that he has pre-
sented adequate and convincing rea-
sons for the postponement of that en-
terprise. He probably wifi tell, Mr.
Lodge and his associates this in so
many words when the thrice post
poned conference sought by the dis
tressed Senate leaders is held.
Having been guided by the recon-
mendations of these leaders in the
tariff matter. the President is further
represented asr-holding the opinion
that there is really nothing he can dc
10 help in that quarter beyond urging
az early termination Of the fight
against II as possible.
Regarding the ship subsidy bill. Sem
ators who have talked with the Presi-
dent in the last two or three days are
quite certain he will insist upon legis-
Iation covering the subject before the
adjournment of Congress or immediate
convcning OF special session.
Criticise His Attitude.
While admitting the difficulties con.
fronting the President through a COM
bination OF events, legislative and
otherwise, his attitude on the thres
measures which are disturbing the
Congressional conscience and conven.
fence has not influenced any change
Of sentiment.
Some of the Presidents critics In the
Senate charge him with "temporizing'
and attempting to shift the responsi.
bility OF leadership to the shoulders
Of leaders who cannot lead and ar.
convinced that nothing short Of Presi
Dental Intervention can bring ordeI
out OF existing chaos.
The retort made on behalf Of ths
President is that Congressional leade-'
ignored the wishes of the Presiden
until they lost control of the legisla
tive machine and decided to appeal u
him to help them regain II. Howeve,
that may be. there can be no doub
The situation In the Senate Is progress
ing from bad to worse. and unless
some positive authority is exerciset
soon Il ultimately will defy thu ap
pication OF party reasons or remedies
II appears to be the sincere belle
Of the leaders who now display ap
parently earnest cagcrncss to &C
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