San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-20
WILL PASS
BONUS BILL
OVER VETO
Friends Serve Coolidge
With Ultimatslm Dur
ing Debate.
CASH OPTION UNLIKELY
Leaders Predict Vote on
Measure Early Next
Week.
Washington. ID. C.. April 1s.-Pres

Washington. ID. C.. April is.-Pres-
ident Coolidge mus; sign the soldier
borus insurance bill or run the risk
of having his own friends pass it over
his veto.
This, in substance. was the ultima
tum served on the President tonight
by Senator Watson. Indiana. Il
slaunch administration supporter. who
frequently speaks for the White
House.
1t was delivered during the Senate
debate on the bonus bill today while
Democratic Leader Robinson ye-sht
vainly to put thumb screws o. Re
publican leaders to learn the rrcsi-
dents attitude on the measure.
While Watson disclamed any
knowledge Of the Presidents views,
he ssid that Mr.. Coolidge had been
warned by number of Republican
senators that they would vote to over
ride his veto of the insurance plan.
although they would support his oppo-
sition to the cash option feature. the
substitute offered b. Democrats.
As q result of the days develop
ments. the passage OF the insurance
plan early next week seems sure.
Senator Curtis. Kansas, in charge
Of the measure. said tonight that a
vote may be reached Monday. Ad-
vocstes OF the measure claimed there
will not be moro than a dozen votes
in opposition to it.
Prospects of a cash bonus for ex-
Cash Option Unlikely.
soldiers all but went glimmerinS when
Senate Democrats who we're sponsor
ing il as an optional proposal were
unable to agree on giving 1T united
support.
Categorical questions put to the q.
O. p, chiefs by Democratic Leader
Robinson, however. went unanswered.
The net result of Robinson's questions
was the assurance that the President
would be more likely to sign the in
surarce bonus than any other COM
pensation measure.
In view Of this situation coupled
with split among the Democrats, ad-
vocates OF cash option bonus plan
all hut gave up hope for its adoption
today. However. Democratic members
OF the finance committee, who strong
ly favored il, served notice they would
demand vote on the plan next week.
Want TO Avoid Veto.
Robinson said the democrats wished
10 ayoid a Presidential veto Of the
bonus and declared that il view OF
the assurance that the President was
more inclined To sign the insurance
plan most of the Democrats would
support it.
Robinson flatly asked Senator Cur
tbs. Kansas. in charge Of the bill, IT
be could assure the Senate and the
country that Mr.. Coolidge would sign
the measure.
Il cannot speak for the President"
said Curtis. But have reason to be
lieyc be is more apt to sign the insur-
ance plan than 4 combined insurance
and cash plan"
Docs any senator know whether
the dill with Il cash option or insur-
ance plan will be met with a Presiden-
tial veto," demanded Robinson, but
be got no reply.
Senators In Tilt.
Senator ternald, Maine, ventured
the opinion that when the President
proposed the bonus in bis message to
Congress that ended it," he denied
he had any authority further than the
message to support this opinion.
Senator Simmons, North Carolina,
said be understood that several sena-
tors had been told the President would
veto any bonus bill, other than the in
surance plan, and that the bill had
been framed with that understanding
in mind.
When Robinson catccbized Senator
Watson regarding his knowledge OF
the mind tha India N.
senator said be did not know the
Presidents attitude.
But ! do know" he continued,
THAT number of Republican sena-
tors have told the President that they
would vote TO sustain his veto Of a
cash option plan but would vote to
override his veto on the insurance
plan"