Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-04-20

his presence Will be required.
Criticism of the President in COM
municating his views to Senator |
Watson to-day was wholly unjusti-
fed. The President never has in |
truded his opinions regarding pend |
Ing legislation unless invited to do |
so. Mr.. Fordney and other mem
bers of the House Ways and Means
Committee appealed to the Presi-
dent to suggest a feasible way for
financing the bonus raid. The
President In replying suggested the
sales tax or postponement OF the
legislation. The House ignored both
suggestions. During the debate on
the bill in the lower chamber Messrs.
Fordney, Mondeu. Longworth and
Fess. responsible Republican leaders,
declared he would sign the certificate
loan bill.
Senator Watson appealed to the
President to-day on the part OF him
self and other Republican associates
In the Finance Committee for SINH
! lar advice. The President did not
hesitate to give 1t. While the bonus
Senators who are concerned only in
winning votes took umbrage at the
character OF the information OBJ
tanned by Senator Watson. the great
majority OF Republican Senators
/ hailed Il with satisfaction.
Intrcnched Back of President.
They described It as rejecting
the sound and reasonable judgment
OF the President" In consequence
many Republican Senators who yes
90 20
bonus have intrenched themselves
back of the President and will sup
port him. They have indicated their
determination to insist the Finance
COMMITTEE produce a bonus bill
which will stand the test OF the
White House. the Treasury and pub
lie sentiment regardless OF the effect
on the political fortunes OF individ-
ual Senators who have attached
more importance to the influence CT
the American Legion than the facts
warrant.
In discussing the latest develop
ments In the bonus muddle Senator
Watson expressed the opinion that
the only two possible methods left
for framing bonus bill are to work
out an amendment to the tariff bill
to provide the needed revenue. or
adopt the sales tax scheme as sug-
gested by the President. Because Of
It's far reaching and menacing effect
the proposal to load down the tariff
bin with a revenue measure for the
bonus met with little favor this af-
ternoon.
As far as the sales tax scheme is
! concerned Senator'S on both sides
expressed the opinion that It could
not be done by the Senate because
Of the constitutional provision re-
quiring that all revenue producing
measures originate in the House.
The conviction is growing among
Senators that after hopeless maneu-
verlng the Senate Finance Commit
tee will be compelled to turn to the
sales tax Every Senator knows that
such a bill will meet the Presidents
! approval; likewise every Senator
3 knows the President will probably
, veto any bonus bill containing other
methods for pay the bonus.
b Chance OF Sales Tax.
A sales tax feature in the bonus
2 bill would stand more chance OF
I getting through the Senate than any
other scheme suggested at the pres
t ont time. despite the opposition OF
o the agricultural bloc: per contra, II
O would stand very little chance OF
q getting through the House. where q
e large number OF members are un
II alterably opposed to this form o
h taxation for any purpose.
g Senator Watson who will favor
bonus bin that will stand the test a
r. the white House, made no secret o
- his anxiety over the muddle fl
n which the disturbing legislativ,
1. project has become involved Per
# sonally he feels the Senate SHOULD
j. hold back until the refunding com
e mission has made a report OF tn,
l. chances for collecting the foreigi
x debts. notably that due from Grea
l. Britain.
y Treasury officials. who are organ
e izing the commission to refund tn
IT foreign debt hold out very It'll
n hope that any money from forelg
s. quarters will be available for a lon
rs time 10 come. The same official
l. also point out that money receive
from foreign obligations must b
u devoted to redemption Of the Vic
( tory and Liberty bonds. Realizatio
~ OF this fact strengthens the ide
d among Republican Senators that III
y sales tax ultimately will emery
a. from the deliberations of the r.
- nance Committee.
IA The bonus Senators, who adm
n they are engulfed in maze OF cor
- flicting ambitions and emotions wi
20 make an attempt to override obje,
lions from the White House ar