The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-04-20
May Head
Off Bonus
With Deficit of Billion in
Sight President May Read
Special Message In Con-
gress.
Hy DAVID LAWRENCE
(copyrtght BY Tho Ints,ltSsncsr)

Washington. April 'o.--Govevnnent
finances are IN the worst jam they nave
been IN since the war. Secretary Mellon
estimates the total deficit for the fiscal
year beginning July next. at nearly
half billion dollars. Congress is In the
verge OF passing \ soldiers compensa-
tion bin as we'll as other measures for
rivers and harbors. Nobody knows how
much higher the deficit may so though
officials estimate that Il the soldier
bonus bill should become Z law the
amount OF the deficit may reach oil-
uon dollars
President Harding IS deeply concerned
over the situation. lie may read spe-
cial message 20 congress in an effort
existing appropriation bills but 10 head
off the soldier bonus. The action OF the
senate Republican caucus IN voting 70
have a soldier bonus bill passed at this
fic bill was advocated by tho caucus and
the reeolution can BE- interpreted. u
cAo Republicans choose. as a Notc IN
favor OF a bonus bin with other forms
rowing. such as land grants. vocational
aid. etc. The group in the senate
which favors the house bill Will not let
tha, be the Interpretation without 4
comes. however. several developments
may be looked for. among them 4 reitcr-
alton Of the governments tinancia! stu.
alton in an address by the president ot
the senate.
Bsntmsn. for Bonus.
Mr.. Harding xnowS that 4 the house
bill were TO come TO a vote TO-DAY -
would DC passed by ain Overwhelming
majority. The swing IN sentiment in
the senate toward passage Of q bonus
men has been gradual. TAX or ourF.
ing tho bill in The senate has bcen SwcGt
aside by the activity ot thc oonuS aH,
sestsls tive program unless they get a
vote On tho bonus. Once the measure ~
I'D for vote, there will oe few VINO Will
care 10 so on record against II:
Under these circumstances. Mr.. Haro-
irg,s only chance to prevent the passage
of the house bill or any other measure
whlcL further drains the treasury lies
n a messake setting forth the he. finanI,as I'M tha.
u,av tnjure the cnanccs OF the Repueli-
can majority In the coming elections pc
cause Mr.. harding will have 10 state
a haif billion dollar deficit and thai tho
economy program started out so aus
piciousiy With Director Dawes has taii-
ed 10 balance the budget for 1928.
Painful Racts Disclosed
Mr.. Mellon. however. has already dis
a political View point. Mr. Harding will
not be able 10 Grace the impression thus
far made BY the aCnounce rent OF haf
billion dollar deficit. Caless Mr.. HARD.
over his party in the senate. the chances
are the deficit for 1923 viii grow larger.
So the executive is compelled by cir
cumssances TO call halt toward further
In many respects the fight that is IN
prospect looks as X il will bring the
tuning point IN the Harding admlnls-
traitor. Tho president has not given
vent 10 his feelings over the continued
indifference Of congress 70 his express
ed wishes. He and his cabinet had to
fight hard to overthrow naval CON-
m!ttse's Recommendation IN the house
sneouraScd to use his influence, even
further 70 secure congressional ac-
auiescence IN his viewpoint
sssosh S4 TssdnE Issd IN sGrea
der 10 them or the bonus Issue and they
insist that defici: or 10 deficit be Will
have 20 sign tho bonus bill! or sec !.
passed BY ~o-th'rds vote over MS
WV IN. Tariff Pledge
Mr. Harding has not made public :he
strategy he Will adopt. One point, how
ever. IS clear The plan 10 sidetrack the
Soesn,t have his approval. lie believes
,Hs Tariff pledge should be redeemed be-
FORE anything else Is done as there has
oen so much day. The sariff problem
Ike a prolon ged debate. The supporters
OF the bonus are impatient. The first
skirnish will come over giving NE
bonus bill right Of way over the ari,;
N defeated IN that, the supporters OF
the bonus will merely renew their tiEht
when the tariff is out OF the way. The
statement o. the governments flscat
sitna,jou Is counted upon meanwhile TO
prevent prec!pitate action.
For the moment, Secretary Mel on
Snnouncep,snt that even with the S2ho.,
oOe 900 payment OF Interest on the Biz
So rar debt 20 the United States there
wcuid De = gross detictt OF stsi.o0o. 900
has given members o, congress who
So pport the bonus their biggest surprise.
Tuey had counted on paying the bonus
OUT Of British funds. Although IL Is too
carly TO say what the ultimate Tate o.
Inc honus viii be. the chances are the
1874 budget VIII be smaller than ,s-S
Ard " the service S0cn are defeated AZ
.Sis session they v'll sureE win out b"
sorc The presidential campaign OF l924.