The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-09
MELLON CALLED
To EXPLAIN
DEBT BILL
Senate Committee Will Hear
Secretary Before Taking
Action.

Secretary Of the Treasury Mel
lon will be called before the Senate
Finance Committee tomorrow to ex-
plain the terms OF the Anglo-Ameri-
can debt agreement, it was decided
today when the committee met to
consider the Smoot-Burton bill to
amend the funding act.
Following Melons testimony, it
is expected the bill will be favor
ably reported to the Senate.
The British debt settlement will
be ratified today by the House,
under plans perfected by the lead
ers. Its ratification will be sent
to the Senate tomorrow if the
Senate is in session.
Senator Smoot, one Of the Ameri-
can Settlement Commission, stattd:
I'VE are waiting for the House
to act. There is no hurry and our
committee will not meet until after
the House passes the legislation.
Then we shall bring in a report
and we expect no trouble in having
the Senate ratify it,"
House leaders moved with ex-
petition to get the settlement legis-
lation in shape and ready for con.
sideration. The House Ways and
Means Committee devoted about
three hours to the bill drafted by
Representative Burton, heard an
explanation Of it by Burton, made
a few changes and reported the
measure favorably.
Leaders Agree to Vote.
Hurried conferences were had by
Republican Leader Mondell with
Democratic Leader Garrett and
unanimous consent was obtained in
the House to call the settlement
bill before the House at II a. M.
today and hold it there until the
vote on passage could be taken.
I'VE expect to pass the bill be-
fore the session ends today" Mon
dell said. Garrett stated there was
no desire by the Democrats to de-
lay action.
The bill will be left open to
changes in the House. Attempts
may be made to add provisions to
it requiring use of the British pay.
ments for a soldier bonus, or for
sentative Hamilton Fish. jr., Of
New York has threatened to bring
out the bonus provision. He was
not here early today and it could
not be learned whether his plans
had changed. House leaders are
certain of sufficient votes to de-
feat such move.
Sharp Debate Expected.
There Twill be sharp debate over
the legislation, led by the Demo
Gratis. Three members OF the Ways
and Means Committee oppose the
settlement plan. They are Repre-
Oldfield, Arkansas: Carew,
New York, and Collier, Mississippi.
Representative Alternately of North
Carolina served notice yesterday he
opposed the settlement terms, and
will speak in opposition to it today.
Defense of the measure and of
the settlement plan will be in the
hands and under the direction of
Representative Burton of Ohio, one
of the Debt Commission. Burton
is one Of the most experienced
legislators in the House and in
former years piloted through that
body emascuIated rivers and har-
bors bills despite the violent oppo-
sition of the waterways men.
AS an overwhelming vote in favor
of the legislation Is assured the
chief battle Burton will have to
make is to keep the bill free from
Objectionable riders. like bonus or
reclamation presumption of funds
received. The Liberty and Victory
loan authorizations specify use of
such repayments by foreign gov
ernments in retiring Government
bonds and reducing the public debt.