The New York herald., 1922-05-22
Confidence of Raid Promo
ters Shaken by Results
of Primaries.
PROTESTS STILL PILE UP
Members Of Congress Warned
People Will Resent Any Tap
ping of Treasury Till.
BY LOUIS sEIBoLD.

New York Herald Bureau.l
Washington. d. c.. May FL.
Proponents and opponents Of the
bonus raid on the public Treasury
agree that decisive stage in the con-
troversy will be reached this week.
They do not expect President Har-'
ding will make any contribution to
the decision. Bonus Senators who
hoped for come modification OF the
Arm position adopted by the Presi-
dent now seem to be convinced he will
stand by the declarations he has
made and will not undertake to show
promoters of the bonus that their ac-
tivities are both undesirable and un-
popular.
Almost every member Of the two
houses believes any bonus proposal
submitted to the President to date viii
both merit and receive a veto. The
results Of TIE Indiana, Illinois, Penn
sylvania and Oregon primaries in
which the bonus was an issue are con-
coded even by bonus supporters to in
dicate disapprovai of the scheme to
reward patriotism with cash.
The magnificent victory OF Senator
Pepper in Pennsylvania, against whom
the full power OF tie American Legion
officials was directed. has done more
than any single incident to dissipate
the confidence. of bonus supporters
that the President finally would sane
ton the bonus raid
These officials. who grossly misrep-
resented the attitude OF thousands of
members Of their organization. were
most optimistic as to the Pennsyl-
varia primaries. They fully expected
to prevent the nomination Of Senator
Pepper and convince the President.
members of the two houses Of Con-
gress and the people generally that
the bonus scheme was approved by
an overwhelming majority.
Tho primary results In the Key
stone State, Illinois, Indiana and Ore
gon have exploded this fallacy. Sena-
tors and members who accepted the
claims Of political power made by
bonus promoters at tteir face value
are being disillusioned. The primaries
have convinced them that officials of
the American Legion cannot control
the political opinions of the members
OF the organization which they have
misrepresented. much less influence
the decisions of men and women voters
Of the country generally.
verdict Overwhelmingly Adverse.
The verdict Of such voters as have
recorded their Judgment OF tie bonus
has been overwhelmingly against 1t,
a fact which has not been overlooked
have been led to believe it would be
otherwise.
The next move is up to Ale Senate
Finance Committee. What it will be,
members of that body frankly confess
they do not know. Sentiment in favor
OF postponing consideration OF bonus
legislation until next session Of Con-
gress is rapidly gaining support. 1t
will. of course, be strenuously opposed
by Republican Senators who have as
yet failed to read the handwriting on
the wall.
The majority of Democratic Sena-
tors will attempt to goad their Repub-
lican associates into action designed
to bring the McCumber negotiable
certificate loan plan into the Senate.
If the Republican bonus Senators do
not do 80 the Democrats may take the
initiative In this respect.
They will not do so, however, II the
indicated lineup compels their party to
supply the greater number of votes
either to take the bonus bill from the
Finance Committee or propose deal
with the bonus Republicans to make
a voluntary report of the McCumber
bill, which in round numbers will cost
about s5,ooo.ooo.oo0.
Democrats Sole Ambition.
The sole ambition of the Democrats
Is TO "pyt the Republican majority in
noie" by compelling It to assume the
responsibility for the bonus raid. II
the Republican party refuses the chal-
lenge IL is hardly probable the Demo-
Gratis win attempt to dig a pit for
themselves.
1t is the opinion and hope OF many
Republican Senators that some move
will be made at once to dispose Of the
bonus one way or the other. Advo-
Gates Of the stupendously costly Nc
Cumber scheme. which does not in
clude any provision for raising the
necessary revenue, are still confident
1t can be passed In the Senate. once 1t
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Continued on Page Five.
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