Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-02-02
SENATE RESTRICTS
REFUND|NG BOARD

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.-A pro-
vision in the allied debt refunding
bill which would have given the pro-
posed debt commission authority to
adjust and settle all claims the
United States has or hereafter may
have against any foreign govern
ment" was stricken out today by the
senate.
This was the first change to be
made in the bill over the objection
of Republican leaders. The vote was
80 to 35, thirteen Republicans joining
with the solid minority in supporting
the amendment.
Republican senators supporting the
amendment were Borah, Brandegee,
Cummins, Johnson, Jones, Washing
ton, Lafollette, Lenroot, McNary,
Norris, Poindexter, Sterling, Town
send and Willis.
Amendment by Senator Simmons
Democrat, North Carolina, which
would have provided that interest
payments could not be postponed for
more than three years without the
consent of congress was rejected
Al to 81.
Four Republicans-Joh nson, Ladd,
LaFoIette and NorriS-joined with
the solid Democratic minority in sup
porting the amendment.
Senator Simmons offered his SOL
diers' bonus amendment, but later
withdrew it at the request of Sena-
tor Norris, Republican, Nebraska,
who asked that consideration be de-
ferred until after the senate had
acted on his substitute bill propos.
ing to authorize the secretary Of
treasury to refund the foreign debt
under conditions and terms laid down
by the existing Liberty loan acts.
BY decisive votes the senate re-
fused Monday to require congress
sional approval of the agreements to
be entered into with debtor nations
by the proposed allied debt refund
ing commission or to limit the au-
thority of the commission in the mat
ter of deferring the time when inter
est payments on the eleven bullion
dollar foreign debt shall begin.
Despite an agreement sharply linn
iting debate, a final vote was not
reached. Late in the day when the
roll calls on amendments began it
looked as though now the week-old
fight would come to an end but
reference to the agricultural bloc"
by one senator brought tart reply
by another; that led to further dis
cussion and finally it was decided to
recess until IL a. m. Tuesday. Those
in charge of the bill hope to dispose
of the measure then, but many
amendments still are pending with
plenty of more discussion in pros
pect.
The first amendment rejected was
that proposing approval by congress
of the bond conversion agreements.
1t was proposed by Senator Johnson,
Republican, California, and was Vot-
ed down, Al to Sc. Seven Republic
ans-Borah, Brandegee, France,
johnson, LaFollette, Moses and Nor
ris-joined with 20 Democrats in sup
porting the amendment. Senator
Williams, Democrat, Mississippi, was
the only Democrat opposing it.
Next the senate. rejected, 40 to 81,
an amendment by Senator Simmons,
Il Democrat, North Carolina, proposing
that interest on the converted bonds
be paid semi-annually or annually.
Senator Williams also opposed this
amendment while four Republicans
--Borah, La Toilette, Johnson and
Norris-Supported it.
IS Senator Reed, Democrat, Missouri,
then proposed that the commission
terest payments by any country for
q period longer than two years, but
this also was voted down, A to "a.
Senator Williams also opposed this
amendment, while five Republicans
.-Borah, Johnson, Kenyon, La Fol
lette and Norris-voted for it.
1 Senator Simmons offered another
amendment limiting the time for de-
ferring interest payments to three
years. This was pending when the
senate finally went into brief exec
utive session preliminary to taking
a recess. The recess plan was agreed
upon after a motion to adjourn had
been defeated on a roll call, Al to 80.
In the course of debate there were
charges of sinister" influences be-
hind the bill. Senator Borah, Re-
publican, Idaho, declared that power
full financial interests both in the
United States and abroad did not in
tend that the allied debt should be
paid. Senator Simmons reiterated
charges that the proposed legislation
would benefit the holders in this
country of $4,000 100000 of the bonds
of the allied countries floated largely
before the United States entered the