The Washington herald., 1922-03-15
HARDING READY
FOR SHOWDOWN
Bonus Legislation and
Coal Strike Attitude
Definitely Settled.
L. E A d E R S CONFER
Stand of Administration
On Vital Questions
Decided Upon.

PALM BEACH. Fla. March IL
Administration leaders are now
ready for a definite showdown on
two OF the big issues before Con-
gress and the nation-bonus legis-
lation and the mine strike.
First:
Speaker GiIlett. who Is with
President Harding's party here.
Monday for conference with
Chairman Fordney. OF the House
Ways and Means Committee at
which he il expected TO make clear
his definite opposition to any sus-
pension of rules in the House which
would permit OF railroading through
the compromise bill without ade-
quate debate or opportunity for
amendments.
Demands Full Consideration.
While Mr.. Giuett Is not yet ready
to announce definitely his judgment
on the rules question. IL may be
stated on highest authority that his
first reaction-which has been al
ready communicated to Fordney-
is that the bonus legislation is much
too serious problem to permit of
anything but the most deliberate
consideration.
Speaker Gillett's course on the
rules question will constitute the
beginning Of the administration Of
fensive against any bonus measure
this session which does not con-
template definite provision Of funds
DepIore Operators Stand.
Second:
Attorney General Daugherty. in
the first statement given for quo
tation by any member of the Presi-
dents party since the vacation trip
began. expressed ."gret that the
coal operators have not seen fit "a
engage in a preliminary scale con-
ference with the miners. adding
with emphasis that the public IN
terest in this situation must not and
will not be overlooked.
II strike comes MMr. DauCherty
declared. it should be kept in mind
that the country must not be let'
without the fuel necessary to main.
tain TRANSPORTATION and essential
industries"
While the attitude Of the admin
istration on both bonus and strike
situations has been forecasted. de-
yeIopments officially revealed by
members OF the Presidents party
here before they departed for st,
Augustine tonight left no doubt as
to the Presidents mind on either
question.
over Billion In War Claims.
no, oh, ~
added his voice TO the chorus OF
Cabinet opposition to the present
bonus measure when he decia-ed
that his department had I,25o,0oo.-
900 of claims against the govern
ment growing out of the war, uhat
IL settlement was made so cents on
the dollar the government would be
lucky. and that those discussing
bonus legislation must consider
financing of these settlements as
well as the millions involved in SOL
diers' compensation.
"I think II is a mistake on the
part OF the operators to hold out
against the preliminary conference
with the mine workers" Mr.. Daugh-
erty said, opening his discussion OF
the strike Developments. There is
contractual relation between these
two interests. They agreed urder
the terms of the 1920 scale agree
ment to meet and discuss a new
scale. They ought to do so. And
ii is fair to remind them that the
government itself is a party to this
contract and therefore has a right
to take a hand In this business.
Also" he continued, ,"all parties
involved might remember that the
present dispute is not privat,
affair. The public is interested and
its rights must be protected by the
government, as think they will be
SO far as may be possible"
Nature of War Claims.
"of the war claims" he said, $3.50.
100000 arises out Of alleged infringe
ment of patestn alone. Theen there
is $4,000 900 which comes out OF
the Shipping Board. The boards
claims do. not include those now being
dealt with by the claims commits
sion set UP by the board itself.
Those claims are now in the proc
ess Of adjustment, some in dispute
and some in PREPARATION. It is nc
part of the Department of Justice tc
deal with the bonus issue direct. moi
do mean to express any views on