New-York tribune., 1922-01-26
Steering Committees DE.
eide on Quick Action:
House Members Meet
To-day toAct onMeasurc
Expect 1t Will Be
u pin Three Weeks s
Tariff Revision and For
cisn Debt on Program
for Early Disposition

Prom Thc Tri 'tnes Washington Burcou
WAS.llNGTON, Jan. 25.-At a Joint
meeting Of the Republican steering
committees Of the House and Senate to-
day 1t was agreed to press for early
legislation on the soldier bonus or ad-
lustcd compensation. This action was
taken in spite of the fact that Sccre-
tary OF the Treasury Mellon yesterday
once more made plain his opposition
to such legislation. Senate leaders also
promised to pass a tariff revision bill
this session.
Not only will solder bonus lcgis-
'at'on be sought at the earliest practi-
cable date, according to the Senate and
hcusc steering committee leaders. but
the objections raised by Secretary Mel
Ion to using either the principal or the
interest of the foreign debt will not be
considered final
House Will Prepare Bill
!, was decided that the House Ways
ana Means Committee should under
take Immediately the task Of preparing
p bonus bill This will first be passed
by the House and then taken IN by
thc Senate. This meets the constitu-
tional requirement that bills relating
TO the revenue shall originate in the
House.
The Republican membership of the
liouse w'ii meet tomorrow evening to
consider the bonus and more particu-
larly plans for raising the money to
pay it. 1t is expected the great ma
lcr'ty of the House Republicans will
vote Tor passing a bonus bill if given
opportunity. According to Republican
Leaders,, tho House Wavs and Means
Committee will probably report a bonus
bill in three weeks.
The general view taken here TODAY
was that the decision of the steerinr
ccmmlttees to-day means bonus legisla.
'ioh VIII De enacted at the present ses-
sion. President Harding is not ex-
Peoted TO oppose it, though he is op-
posed TO relying entirely on the for
eign debt to meet the BONUS fund
Meantime the Senate Finance Com
m'ttee is having an expert obtain data
as TO how much money can be raised
BY various methods of taxation. The
advocates of the sales tax are bestir-
rn3 themselves The Treasury exnerts
have advised the Finance COMMITTEES
taat it would be possible to raise $750.-
ooo,ooU through a sales tax which would
reach all lines of business.
One of the questions before the
meeting to-day was postponement of
consideration Of the treaties arising
from the armament conference until
after the legislative program Of Con-.
gress has been completed and adjourn
ment has been taken. House leaders
urged this. The Senate leaders said
they we're in accord with the House
leaders that legislation should be- ex-
pcdltcd on. the bonus que ston, on the
foreign debt. tariff, appropriations and
several other matters.
For Early Tariff Legislation
The House leaders told the Senate
leaders there should be early tariff
legislation. Senator Curtis, Republican
whip OF the Senate and member Of the
rin2ncc Comml'te said at the meet
n% that = tan if bill would be reported
carly in February.
The legislative program to which the
two steering committees agreed in
cludes substantially the measures which
have heretofore been on the program.
lhcy arc besides those mentioned the
foreign debt bill, appropriations. CO.
operative marketing and reclassilica-
ton O. Federal employees. Action VIII
n.y. NC CNhtH Oh snip SUBSIDY until lno
President has sent a message to Con-
Sress That subject then will be taken
up by the steering committees of the
two houses
Reorganization of the Federal de-
partments and bureaus and reappor-
tionment of House membership viii be
put over until the last, according to
the tentative decision of the meeting
Efforts will be made to adjourn as
so after June l as pos. -ole, in order
tc enable members of the House to
enter the campaign.
House leaders were inclined to find
fault with the Senate for the slowness
in legislative action. They took the
view that unless the bonus bill, tariff
revision and one or two other impor-
tant matters were acted on the Re-
publicans would suffer in the campaign.
The session was held in Senator
Lodges office at the Capitol, but
mother Senator Lodge nor Senator Nc
Cumbcr was able to attend. Senator
Curtis WAS chief spokesman for the
Senate leaders. Among the House
leaders present were Representatives
MOndCll and T,Onr,XOrth