The New York herald., 1922-07-28
FRIENDS FEAR TO AID
PRO-BONUS SENATOR
McKellar Needs Lift at Polls,
but Colleagues Are Wary
of Issue.
LEADERS EXPECT VETO
In Absence of Word From
White House, However, SEN
ate Plans to Go Ahead.

Special Dispatch 10 THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. C.. July "a.
Senatorial friends of Senator Nickel
lar (Tenn.), who is In serious danger Of
defeat in the primary on August 3. ac-
cording to reports received here. because
of his support OF the proposed S5,000,-
100000 soldier bonus raid, would like
to give him lift" as friends of Sena-
tor Reed (Mo) did recently. AS the
bonus bill is the chief issue in the Ten
nessee battle. they are afraid to do so
and are showing strong inclination to
leave McKellar to fight it out alone.
While Senatorial courtesy calls fer a
gentle lift" TO a colleague in distress.
Democratic Senator's realize keenly that
since Senator Mckelar Is so closely
allied with the bonus issue support of
him would in all probability act as a
bareback
In ringing statement to the Demo-
Gratis Of Tennessee former Gov. Nal
colin r. Patterson has just announced
his opposition to Senator Mcclellan
largely because of Nc<ellar's advocacy
of the McCumber bonus bill.
Patterson Launches Attack,
"Ohe of my chief objections to the
denomination of Senator McKellar," says
former Gov. Patterson. "is his support
of the soldier bonus bill That measure
If enacted into law, would shoulder the
people with stupendous burden of
taxation and introduce into American
politics system which once fastened
viii grow with the years to a veritable
engine of destruction.
THE bonus bill did not originate with
the soldiers. They had no thought of il
when they returned from war Thou
sands OF them now do not favor It, The
whole proposition originated from a few
volatile politicians who saw in it an
advantage to themselves without thought
OF what 1t would mean to the people las
a whole.
Every sick or disabled soldier. every
one who has been incapacitated in any
degree, whether in mind or body, should
receive every possible care and attention
from the Government, but to go beyond
this and give bonus to the soldiers who
are we'll and fit mentally and physically
is to my mind legislative crime"
Mr. Patterson goes on to say he will
throw his influence behind the candidacy
of Gus 7. Fitzhugh, who was a captain
in the Spanish American War and is op-
posed to the bonus raid
Republican leaders are still hoping
President Harding will find time and
show an inclination to discuss the legis-
lative program before the tariff bill is
out of the way. Senator Lodge MASS J,
majority floor leader. feels that under
the present circumstances IL would be
useless to try to take up the subject with
the President in view of the latter's
heavy responsibilities due to the coal
and railroad strike.
Expect Veto of Bonus,
In the absence of any other word on
the bonus from the White House. the
Senate leaders plan to go ahead with
the McCumber bill. although they can
didly admit they expect it will be We
toed should 1t reach the President All
hope that the measure can be amended
in the Senate to meet the requirements
of the President as laid down in his let
ter to Chairman Fordney of the Ways
and Means Committee. sent February 16,
has been abandoned.
Although the passage of the bonus
bill by the Senate would be nothing but
81 gesture to redeem pledges made to the
politicians in the American Legion, OPP
ponents Of the measure intend to de-
pounce it in vigorous terms.
While Senator Watson Und.) says the
bill can be passed in four days. anti
bonus Senators declare it will be much
longer before a vote can be reached.
They point to the fact there is now
pending several bills as substitutes to
the McCumber measure, each of which
will require some time to be disposed OF,
Among them is a measure sponsored by
Senator Bursum On. NJ providing for
an out and out cash bonus. to be paid
out of funds in the Treasury. so per
cent upon the passage c. .ne measure