Evening journal., 1922-08-23
BONUS BATTLE
NOW in SENATE
Continued from First Page.

has no present intention OF interfer
ing with Il.
President Declines 20 Comment.
In response to a polite questio
submitted to him this afternoon. tn
President replied that he had n
comment to make at present on tn
bonus situation in the Senate. Wha
his attitude will be under certali
eventualities of the conflict is a mat
ter of lively speculation. He ha
repeatedly expressed his complet
disapproval OF the McCumber bill
which will have the support of tn
majority of Republican Senator
and an uncertain number of Demo
Gratis. He does not regard II as wis
in an economic sense or advisable
in the present financial condition o
the country.
The Secretary OF the Treasury. tn,
Comptroller of the Currency and tn,
Governor OF the Federal Reserve
Board have also denounced the Nc
Cumber scheme for reasons gener
ally the same as those offered b!
the President. II is significant tha
not a Jingle member OF the Presi
etnt's Cabinet has said a word II
support OF the enterprise. On this
conthary. most OF th-~ have voiced
the opinion that II sr~uld not be
passed.
Despite these authoritative and
wholly convincing objections the ma
jority Of Republican Senators pur-
pose to put through the McCumber
bill or a measure embodying its es-
sential features as soon as the op-
position will permit a vote on t.
That may be in two weeks or two
mopths. There is no telling at the
present writing.
The belief, which IS shared by al
most every one OF the ninety-six
members OF the Senate. that the
President will veto the McCumber
bill will not be permitted 20 inter-
fere with the frenzied purpose OF its
advocates. The chief ambition un-
derlying the program OF the bonus
Senators is TO record themselves in
favor OF the scheme 10 award s5.-
600. 900. 900 OF the taxpayers money
10 ablebodied claimants. What hap
pens TO the measure after Il has been
sent to the President IS a matter OF
no importance.
Squaring OF Accounts.
Senators who have given their
individual pledges" 20 soldier voters
whose political support is desired
feel that they will have squared their
accounts by putting through the bill.
A number Of Senators who will vote
for Il have indicated their determina-
ton 10 support the Presidential veto
expected by voting against the re-
passage of the measure. There are
enough Of these Senators on record
10 prevent the bonus majority from
recruiting the two-thirds vote neces-
sary 20 override an Executce veto.
Almost the sole hope to which the
supporters OF the bonus cling for
ultimate success Is that the President
oan finally be induced TO accept the
measure. Senators who have talked
with him recently are absolutely
convinced that he will not permit his
personal sympathies 70 influence him
IN favor of the measure which he has
repeatedly declared 10 be fraught
with disastrous consequences 20 the
people of the country.
Commander McNider and his sub
ordlnates in the American Legion
appear to be confident tho President
viii eventually swing around 20 their
way Of thinking and approve the bill
which the Senate will send 20 him II
conditions now existing in that body
prevail when a vote Is taken. The
basis for the confidence OF the
American Legion politicians Is con-
tained in this declaration Of ono OF
them today:
1--WE know the President IS a good
fellow. We know he sympathizes
with the boys who want the bonus.
He knows that almost 80 per cent.
OF the people OF the country are in
favor Of giving It. Mellon and the !
bankers and the big newspapers have !
scared him into thinking that the |
whole-hearted people OF the country
will refuse to pay little more taxes
for the benefit Of the bonus.
Calls Opposition Selfish.
HE knows the opposition to tho
bonus Is selfish and unpatriotic. The
President is wholehearted and will |
see through this. He knows better
than any one else that the country
can find the money II II wants 10 20
give the boys a little recognition.
We haven't any doubt when the SIT
uation IS explained to him he will
prove that he is the good fellow that
we think he IS"
The estimate of the President IL
also shared and reflected In the
OF some OF the bonus
in the Senate. II is one OF
the star arguments used in urging
Senator'S opposed to the McCumber
bill or those who still hold a neu-
raj position on il.
Speculation over the ultimate
lineup in the Senate after various
for and amendments to
he McCumber plan have been thor
,ughly prospected provide an agree
lble but profitless subject for con-
The support of a number
II Senators. mostly Democratic. Is
,redlcated on the acceptance Of
iome particular plan for financing f,
he McCumber scheme. The bill ,
which will go before the Senate to- |
morrow does not contain any revenue
eature or even suggest where the !
money to pay the shot will come ,
rom. Eventually. OF course. Il must
ome out OF the pockets OF the tax
ayers.
VIII Oppose Amendments.
Several Senators who realize the fe