The New York herald., 1922-05-31
WATSON BONUS TALK
WAS ALL HIS own
Indiana Senator Admits He
Did Not Express Har-
ding's Views.
PRESIDENT STILL FIRM
Finance Committee Expect
ed to Report Raid Meas
ure To-day.
BILL TO BE USED AS CLUB
Republicans Will Employ 1t
to Force Democrats to
Yield on Tariff.
BILL TO BE USED AS CLUB
Special Dispatch to TIE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
WASHINGTON. ID. C.. Nav 20.

Special Dispatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington ID. c., May 80.
President Harding has not changed
his position on the bonus bill, despite
the impression that he would sign the
pending McCumber measure, which
will be reported out Of the Senate
Finance Committee tomorrow with
the aid of Democratic votes.
That the President is firm was made
known to-day to THE New YORK HER
AID by Senator Watson Ind.) on his
return to the capital after delivering
his keynote speech last week at In
dianapoiis. In that speech Senator
Watson made the declaration that a
bonus Dill would be passed by Con-
gress at this session and would be en-
acted into law.
The inference, of course. was that he
meant that President Harding would
sign any bonus bill which would be pre-
sented to him. Since Senator Watson
had conferred With President Harding
before his speech, the bonus advocates
were much elated over the assertion,
which they said clearly indicated ap-
proyal of the measure by the President.
Didn't Express Hnrding's Views.
To clear nm all doubts Senator Wat
son was asked:
SIN YOUR Indianapolis speech did you
express the Presidents views on the
bonus?"
II did not" was the answer of Sena-
tor Watson.
Were you authorized to say bonus
bill would be enacted into a law at this
session of CongressT'
II was not. although / am sure
bonus bill will be passed"
1--WE have been under the impression
that the President judging from express
sions on the subject, would veto the
pending bonus BILL since it does not
meet the requirements laid down by
him in his letter to Chairman Fordney
of the Ways and Means COMMITTEES.
Have you any information to the effect
that the President has changed his posi-
| ton on the subject?" was the next ques-
| tion
"I have not" replied Senator Watson.
Going Ahead with Program.
Nevertheless, the bonus advocates are
going ahead with their program. They
show no disposition or desire to meet
the requirements laid down by the Pres
ident for bonus legislation as Outlined
in his letter TO Chairman Fordney-
that is, either to finance the measure by
a sales tax or to postpone 1t indefi-
nltely.
Just what "inside" Information. ii
any, Senator Watson has which justi-
fes his positive statement that a bonus
bill would be passed and enacted INTO
| law at this session of Congress could
not be learned. At no time has the
| President indicated the slightest change
| in his attitude on the subject. and he
| has expressed himself frequently on the
question. 1t may be the bonus advo-
| Gates are convinced they have enough
votes to pass the measure over the head
| of the President, but that Is very ques-
| tionable so far as the Senate is con-
cerned.
Plans were completed to-day by the
Finance Committee of the Senate to re-
port out the McCumber bonus bill to-
morrow. Chairman McCumber will be
authorized at meeting of the full COM
mittee to report favorably the measure