The New York herald., 1922-08-24
Legion Politicians Assem-
BILE Shock Troop Units
in Gallery.
BURsUM's BILL FAILS
Senators Are Arming Them
selves With Speeches and
Preparing for Long Fight.
ny LOUIS sEIBOLD.

ny LOUIS sEIBOLD.
Special Dispatch to THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. c.. Aug. 23.
For two hours and forty-three min
utes this afternoon the s5.o00000 900
bonus raid engaged the attention of
scant majority of the s6 members of
the Senate.
At the end Of that time it was tenn
porarily set aside to permit the pas
sage Of a bill to prohibit the importa-
ton into the United States Of adult
honey bees.
Senator McCumber, the author of
the bonus bill. not only acquiesced in
the substitution of the honey bee bill
but obtained unanimous consent for its
consideration.
The author of the bonus bill monop-
olized nearly all OF the time devoted
to 1t on the first day of what promises
to be a protracted and sensational bat
tie. Further than this, he with other
bonus Senators of both parties sup
ported a motion to adjourn which will
permit the consideration Of other busi-
ness for an hour or two each day the
bonus measure Is under considera-
ton.
May Change Their Tactics.
A few weeks ago the sponsors for
the bonus caused the Senate to adopt
resolution making the bonus meas
ure the unfinished business of tha
Senate ITO the exclusion of all other
business" They may insist upon the
literal application of the agreement to
do so when the debate progresses to a
more acrimonious and interesting
stage than 1t reached to-day.
The beginning OF the contest be-
tween the proponents and opponents
OF the scheme to award Treasury cash
to able bodied ex-service men was dis
appointingly tame. 1t was voted so
by an impressive delegation Of husky
young men rounded up in the galleries
by the politicians in the American
Legion, who have been brought up as
shock troop units to lend moral and
vocal support to their Senatorial
champions. The pick of the Legion
forces probably will contribute a pic
turesque though silent feature of the
debate which either will give them
negligible share of the billions in
volved or save a tremendous amount
for the taxpayers OF the country.
This will be finally determined by
the President of the United States. to
whom the McCumber bonus bill will
be sent IL present Senate conditions
continue within the next week, two
weeks or two months. 1t all depends
on the length and developments Of the
fight which a determined minority. ex-
ceeding one-third of the membership.
intends to put up against the measure.
President In Mind Always.
IT was significant during the brief
exchange of Senatorial views to-day
that the President not only figured as
the final arbiter of the bonus con-
troversy but monopolized the thoughts
of Senator's on both sides of the cham
ber. The one question that loomed
above all others was whether the
President could be brought to accept
the proposal which he has repeatedly
disapproved.
Mr.. McCumber. who read a 1000
word speech to the Senate which was
at once interpretative and argumenta-
tive, believes the President will finally
decide to accept his bill. The North
Dakota Senator earnestly expressed
confidence that the measure, OF which
he is sponsor. will find an agreeable
reception at the White House.
Replying to a question asked by
Senator Robinson (Ark.) IL he had any
information which justified his ex-
pressed belief that the President
would not veto the bonus bill Mr..
McCumber said:
I have no information as to what
the President will do. All I can
say is the conditions which actu-
ated the President and the Secre-
tary of the Treasury to register
opposition TO the bill In 1921 no
longer exist. We have made
changes in the bill which make Il
necessary to provide for only n
small sum to be paid within the
next three years. The changes in
financial and economic conditions
meet the objections of the Secre-
tary of the Treasury. SO I can
see no reason why the President
should veto the bill.
That Il is the McCumber bill which
the Senate intends to put through was
pretty clearly established by the re-
lection under droll circumstances OF
substitute measure called up by Mr..
Bursum (Rep., N. NJ after Mr..
McCumber had concluded an exposI-
tion OF his own measure. M
The Bursum bill directs that the
Treasury Department find the money
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