Arizona republican., 1922-03-16
HOUSE LEADERS SEEK VIEWS
'OF HARDING On AMENDMENT
To COMPROMISE BONUS BILL
[RepublIcan a. P. Leased Wlrel

WASHINGTON, March 15.-There
developed today difference of opin-
ion among Republican leaders in the
house as TO the method of calling up
the soldiers bonus bill on the floor.
One group still favored consideration
next Monday under a suspension of
the rules, which would cut off all
amendments. while another held to
the opinion that delay in action would
be preferable.
On all sides, It was stated that a
decision would await the return here
Saturday OF Speaker Gillett. who is
in Florida with President Harding.
Meantime there was speculation
among house members as to whether
the speaker would entertain motion
to suspend the rules and pass the
bill.
Chairman Fordney OF the ways and
means committee disclosed that he
had been informed by Mr.. Gillett be-
fore the speaker left Washington that
he had better not depend entirely on
a suspension of rules as the proce-
dure for getting the bill before the
house.
Since he has been in Florida, the
speaker has indicated that he might
IOL GDltIldin n illONlOA lOT THIS PuA
pose, because of what he regards as
the Importance Of the bonus measure.
Representative Mondell, Wyoming,
the Republican leader, said today it
would be rather unusual" for the
speaker to refuse to entertain such a
motion if a majority of the house de-
sired consideration OF the bill under
such a plan. He added that it was
his judgment that a majority did so
desire.
Power Rests with Speaker
Representative Garner Texas the
ranking Democrat of the ways and
means committee, declared that If
Speaker Gillett were persistent
against the passage of the bill he has
the power in his office TO prevent its
consideration.
The power to refuse recognition on
Monday to suspend the rules and pass
the BILL" Mr.. Garner said, exists on
Tuesday TO refuse recognition to the
rules committee to consider a special
rule authorizing its consideration.
IF Speaker Gillett objects to the
consideration OF the measure on sus-
pension day because it can not be
amended, to be consistent he would
have to decline recognition to con-
slider a rule that would cut off the
right of any member to offer an
amendment. J"
In a discussion today in the house
cloak rooms and corridors, some of
those advocating consideration OF the
bill under suspension OF the rules ad-
vanced the argument that to take it
up under a special rule might result
in complications. They said there
was the possibility of a motion TO
recommit with instructions to the
committee to reinsert the cash bonus
feature and provide for an excess
profits tax to finance it. Some con-
tended that such a motion probably
would prevail.
Want Majority Caucus
Those counselling delay beyond
next Monday think that before the
house acts there should be an infor-
NAL conference by house leaders with
President Harding, particularly in
view of the action of the ways and
means committee in voting to re-
port out the bill within 10 minutes
after Secretary Mellon and Comp
| troller of the Currency Crissinger had
appeared by invitation and had OPP
posed the bank loan section of the
adjusted service certificate. Their
idea is that after this conference the
house Republicans could have a party
conference at which there could be
an agreement to reject all amend
ments except such as the majority
party might agree upon.
II was indicated in some quarters
that the Presidents views would be
sought by some house leaders imme-
diately after his return from Florida
Saturday. There also is to be a.
conference with Speaker Gillett on
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