The New York herald., 1922-03-15
BONUS BILL ORDERED
REPORTED 19-5OVER
| HEADS OF EXPERTS
Warnings of Mellon, Criss-
niger and Gov. Harding
Are Cast Aside.
AMENDMENTS BEATEN
Fordney Prevented by Bi-
partisan Group From Hav-
ing Immediate Action.
HEARING FOR TWO HOURS
Sales Tax Defeated 10 to 5
and Straight Cash Gratuity
Scheme 18 to 6.
HEARING FOR TWO HOURS
nv LOUIS sEIBOLD.
Special Dispatch to THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
WaGhiurtou d. O.. March IA.


Special Dispatch to THE NEw York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington ID. c., March IA.
The bonus raid on the public Treas
ury and business of the country was
started on its legislative career this
afternoon by the Ways and Means
Committee of the House of Repre-
sentatiyes by vote of 10 to 5.
The certificate loan plan bill was
ordered favorably reported by the
Ways and Means Committee within
ten minutes after Secretary of the
Treasury Mellon. Governor Harding
of the Federal Reserve system and
Comptroller Of the Currency Girls
singer had expressed their disap-
proval Of it.
Even the convincing statement
from Palm Beach that the President
would veto the measure did not dis
courage the bonus members of the
Ways and Means Committee, al
though it was accepted as genuine
The weight of Senatorial opinion
which was overwhelmingly against
the latest bonus proposal, likewise
fell upon unwilling ears.
The vote on the bill was brought
about by Chairman Fordney and Ma
jority Leader Mondell, who were de
i termined to jam" the bill through
the House regardless OF the question
of merit, feasibility or political wis
dom. and in defiance Of tremendous
public opinion.
only Defense of Action.
\ The only defense made of the actor
\ of the committee is that members o.
\ Congress promised "the soldier boys
I to pass bonus bill. and that the
promise must be kept. whether j
costs the people of the country $4,000,
00O. 900 or untold billions beyond th'
point Of ordinary computation.
Before the bin was reported Mr.
I Fordney met with a decisive defeat a.
\ the hands of a combination of Repub'
/ licans and Democrats associated or
I the committee. This group voted dowT
his proposal TO report the bill withou
amendment or seeking further infor
nation from competent Treasury Of
| ficials as TO the adverse consequences
OF the legislation to the Treasury anc
the people Of the country.
Seven Republicans and six Demo
Gratis not only voted to hold the bill
open for amendments. but directed
4 the chairman to invite Secretary Mel
| Ion and other officials of his depart
ment to discuss the bill, to which eacf
had presented substantial and logica
objections.
Fordney Somewhat secretive.
After the three Treasury Depart
ment officials had repeated their clea'
cut and positive statements previously
made. the political arguments pre-
vailed and the bill was ordered re.
ported. Just what is going to happer
to II is problematic. Mr. F'ordney
would not disclose his plans beyond
saying the measure would be per
fected in the next day or two. re.
ported and pressed 10 a vote mex
week.
The plans of the bonus members o.
Congress. whose only concern is tc
record themselves IN favor OF the
I bonus. and regardless Of it's ultimate
fate, depend somewhat upon the atti'
tude OF Speaker Gillett. The Speaker
is on a holiday with President Har'
| ding in Florida. His cooperation Ii
essential to the success of the proceed.
ure favored by Majority Leader Mon.
| dell, who Is quite as determined as
\ Mr.. Fordney 10 ignore the advice and
| Judgment OF President Harding anc
Secretary Mellon.
The majority leader Is working hand
and glove with Mr.. Fordney to pre-
vent amendment OF the bonus bill dur.
1 ing it's consideration in the House
4 Apparently authentic information came
\ from Florida to-day that the Speaker
would not stand for the adoption Of tn,
gag rule" favored by Mr.. Fordne,
and Mr.. Mondell If he persists IN
| this attitude the two bonus leaders
either will have TO take the control o
the House from the Speaker or assent
to the regular procedure governing
legislation.
Information. Pathos and Bathos.
For two hours this afternoon Secre.
tary Mellon and his associates In the
Treasury answered questions with
facts while the members OF the com
mittee argued and made brief stumr
speeches replete with both pathos and
\ bathos.
Secretary Mellon. with little cigal
between his fingers, stood before tn,
committee and repeated substantially
what no had said in his letters TO Mr.
Fordney. He refused to be drawn into
/