Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-07-01
'BLOCS FATAL
To M'CUMBER
Continued From First Page.

supporting the bonus than to the
platform of his own party and the
official judgment of President Hard
ing and other leaders. He ignored
the wise counsels of the President
and Secretary Mellon and the wide
spread popular opposition to the
bonus by insisting that 1t be put
through. He frankly admitted that
in doing so he was responding direct
ly 10 the influence of the politicians
in the American Legion, who had
convinced him that his political fate
was in the hands of the purchasable
former soldier vote connected with
the organization.
In return for his activities In at
tempting to compel the President to
his subsequent defiance of the Presi-
dental judgment the politicians in
the Legion threw the full measure
of their support behind Mr. McCum-
Der in the North Dakota primaries.
The results completely confirm the
opinion of competent observers Of
political conditions that the pollti-
clans in the American Legion cannot
deliver the goods.
Following closely on the denuncia-
ton of the bonus by the voters of
Pennsylvania. Illinois and NOregon.
the expression reflected in the de-
cision of North Dakota voters is
shown to be against the bonus.
The effect of Mr.. McCumber's de-
feat on pending bonus legislation has
been prompt and decisive. II is re-
garded as the most severe blow yet
administered to the scheme to Inn
pose further burdens of taxation on
the people already complaining
against the national assessment of
individuals for the support of the
Government.
Senators and Representatives who
believed It to be within the power Of
tho politicians in the American
Legion to dictate results in political
contests have been manifestly dis
illusioned by the returns from North
Dakota.
There were approximately $4,000
ex-service voters in North Dakota.
The politicians in the American
Legion expended much money and
energy in organizing these voters for
Mr.. McCumber. The results are held
to show the ex-servlce voters re-
fused TO be organized in support of
their leading champion in Congress. !
Mr.. Frazier. conqueror of Mr.. Nc
Cumber. put through a State bonus |
bill, which he held to be sufficient, |
before he was recalled by popular |
vote. The defeat of Mr.. McCumber |
therefore has provoked pronounced |
degree of pessimism among the poll |
ticians in the American Legion, as |
also among Senators who until yes
power to control individual Senator
ial destinies.
What effect Mr. McCumber's de-
feat will have on his future attitude
on the bonus scheme Is a matter
Of conjecture. Some of his associ-
ltes already have relegated him to
he lame duck" class. made up of
legislators who have more or less
Of a claim on the party in power
Tor past services and must be taken
care OF.
1t is quite logical to assume that
Mr.. McCumber will instance greater
respect for the policies of the Ad-
than he has in the past
also that he will attach much less
Importance to the blocs that enunci-
tie policies generally antagonistic to
he Republican party.
Fairly complete returns received
asst night indicating a plurality for
ir. Frazier established this fact be-
ond question. The agricultural bloc
n the Senate could not. or at least
Id not. control the agricultural
ote in North Dakota.
Out OF the multitude of causes
eld to be responsible for the hui
of Mr.. McCumber at the
eok OF his legislative career the
onus looms like sore thumb.
,ven the bonus supporters who dis
layed considerable uneasiness to-
ay over the McCumber incident,
the fact. Their inslstence
hat they will continue the fight to
ompel enactment OF the bonus raid
ounded hollow and inslncere.
Administration Senators contend
d that the North Dakota results
id not imply any reflections upon
he Republican party Itself and de-
ended their position by pointing
ut that Mr.. Frazier is a Republic
n. fully qualified to enter the
rimaries of that party.
DAMMIT WAC