New-York tribune., 1922-01-19
Funding and
Bonus Bills Are
Slated to Pass
Senate Republicans Differ
but Indorse Them; Means
OF Raising Money 10 Pay
Soldiers Is Chief Issue
War Debt Declared Bad
Borah Asserts That Nobody
in Europe Has Any Idea
of Repaying This Country

From The Tribunes IVosIlinotor Bureau
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1S.-Differences
of view over the foreign debt funding
bill and the soldier bonus bill devel-
oped at the conference of Republican
Senators to-day. At the same time the
conference voted to put both bills on
the program for early passage. Diff
ferences were chiefly over details of the
funding bill and as to how to raise
money to meet the bonus bill Senator
Wadsworth, of New York, fatty opposed
the bonus bills enactment. Senators
Phipps, Of Colorado, and Pepper, OF
Pennsylvania, also voted against it
Senators Calder and Warren, with one
or two others, withheld final express
sion on the bill.
Senator Borah served notice he woult
oppose the foreign debt funding bill
unless it contained a provision fol-
semi-annual or annual payment of in
terest. The provision for sem;-annua
payments was at first put into the bill
by the Finance Committee and thcr
eliminated at the instance of Secretary
of the Treasury Mellon. Senator Boraf
also declared against the soldier bonus
bill. which he has all along opposed
holding that it is based on wrong
principle.
Bill Approved Unanimously
The conference voted unanimously te
pass the funding bill. However, Sen
ator Borah had left the conference
when the vote was taken on this anc
on the bonus bill. Senator La Toilette
did not attend. He is also expected tc
urge semiannual or annual interest pay
ments, and in this Senator Borah will
have the support of several Republi
cans, as we'll as most Democrats.
1t was decided by the conference te
meet again tomorrow to thresh out
details both of the funding bill anc
the bonus bill. The conference did not
favor linking the two bills, but it is
expected the Democrats will attempt te
add the bonus bill to the funding bill
as an amendment.
The indications are the funding bill
will pass substantially as the Finance
Committee leaders want it, A hare
fight, however, will center about fixing
a stated time for interest payments.
Senator Lodge presided over the con
ference and insisted that it dispose o1
the question whether it would indorss
the passage of the funding bill and thu
bonus bill separately. After that de
tails could be taken up. Senator Lodge
also prevented the conference from tax
ing up other measures until such tim.
as an agreement could be worked ou
as to debt funding and bonus.
Political Aspect Considered
With respect to the bonus bill, on
Senator who attended the conference
said there was special enthusiasm TO
it among the Senators who are seek
ing reelection this year. They do no
want to go into the campaign with tn
bonus question hanging fire.
Some discussion arose as to the mean!
to meet the bonus payments. Mucl
sentiment developed for utilization o
the foreign debt, especially the British
debt. Senators Lodge and Watson, o
Indiana, both expressed themselves a
favorable to meeting the bonus in thi
way, but pointed out the President op
posed it and would not consent to
unless some way were found of rails
ing money by taxation to bridge owe
the period until this country can be
gin to realize on the British debt an
perhaps others.
Senator Edge urged a sales tax t
meet the bonus until this country coul
begin to avail itself Of proceeds Q
the British debt. Some of the Repub
licaa leaders took the view that fe'
Republicans would oppose a sales ia
measure if it were made part Of tn
bonus bill, but in other quarters
was declared the sales tax could nc
get through Congress. The Hous
agricultural "bloc" already has serve
notice that it will fight the sales ia
to the limit as means of raising tn
bonus fund.
lBorah Considers Loans Lost
In the discussion of use of the fol
eign debt or the British debt to NEE
the bonus, Senator Borah insisted tn
foreign debts to this country would nc
Nobody in Europe expects to pa
these debts," said Senator Borah.
"We have been assured by the Char
cellor Of the British Exchequer this
the British debt will be paid" sal
"But does the Senator from Masss
chusetts. believe it," asked Senate
Borah.
Certainly" said Senator Lodge.
1t is expected that series Of col
ferences will be necessary to settle o
details of the debt funding bill an