Evening star., 1922-03-18
LEADERS TO TAKE
BONUS BILL TANGLE
BEFORE PRESIDENT
House Republicans Expect to
Confer at White House To-
morrow Night.
GILLETT STILL HEARING
PRO AND CON APPEALS
Advisers Call on Speaker Imme-
diately After His Return
From Florida.

Republican House leaders expected
to confer with President Harding al
the White House tomorrow night re-
sarding procedure in handling the
compromise soldiers bonus bill They
are hopeful that he viii approve their
plan for passage of the measure un-
der suspension of the rules
Several of the leaders were in con-
ference early today with Speaker Gill
lett and arrangements were made for
him to meet majority members OF the
ways and means committee and other
republicans late today to discuss the
question of procedure. Mr.. GiIlett
said he still was open to argument
and added that he might not arrive
at decision today.
Difference in Opinion.
A number Of the Speakers advisers
called on him at his Office immediate
ly after his return to the Capitol after
his trip to Florida with the President
Some advised him against entertain
ing motion TO suspend the rules.
while others urged that he do SO. as
serting that there was an overwhelm-
ing sentiment among House republi-
cans for such a procedure.
Representative Lineberger OF Cali
fornia, former service man. who
holds petition carrying a sufficient
number of signatures to insure a call
for party conference next Tuesday
evening, called on both Mr.. Gillett and
Representative Mondell of Wyoming.
the republican House leader He would
not discuss his conferences, but it was
understood that he had urged the call
ing together of House republicans to
thresh out the whole bonus question.
Leaders do not look with favor OH
plan for party conference. at least
until they have talked with the PreSi-
dent. They expect to obtain the
Presidents views on the compromise
bill tomorrow.
Exact Time in Doubt.
| 1t was indicated that if the bill were
taken up Monday debate would con-
tinue for two days under a special
rule temporarily setting aside the rule
limiting discussion under suspension
of the rules to forty minutes.
Replying TO question by Repre-
sentative Garner. democrat. Texas.
Mr.. Mondell told the House today that
| there was no way of determining
| now the exact time that the bonus
i bill would be called up.
! Il would say, said Mr. Mondell,
that have said to those on our side
| who have to do with the matter that
1 think our people ought 10 be here
next week, beginning Monday
Extended Time for Objections.
| Mr.. Mondell went on to say that
| there were many matters of impor-
tance before the House warranting the
attendance of absent members.
'Is that all that the gentleman from
Wyoming knows about the subject"
asked Mr.. Garner.
That's ALL" replied Mr.. Mondell
amid laughter.
On behalf of Representative Kitchin
of North Carolina, the democratic
| leader, who is absent from the House
because of ill health, Mr.. Garner OBJ
| tanned unanimous consent for the eX-
! tension until the adjournment Monday
of time for the filing of minority
views of the ways and means COM
mittee democrats.
Program May Be Left in Air.
Should Speaker Gillett decline to
permit the bill to come UP under a
suspension Of the rules, the program
of those in charge Of the bonus
measure would be left somewhat in
the air. There have been reports
that a majority party conferences
might be called to consider procedure,
| but in advance of their meeting with
Mr.. Gillett leaders would not say
that they had this in mind. II the
measure was taken up after Monday,
it would be considered under a special
| r,le which would limit debate and
amendments, but which would carry
the right of motion to recommit the
bill with instructions to the ways and
means committee. The democrats
were prepared in that event to offer
a motion instructing the committee to
| reinsert the cash bonus in lieu OF
the bank loan provision recently
written into the adjusted service Ger
tificate title.