The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-05-21
NEW STRENGTH.
CLAIMED FOR
PATMAN BILL
General Butler Volunteers
Aid to Win Support for
Soldier Payment
Continued from Page I


he will discuss the Navy measure
for some time. and others are
ready to join him so as to keep
the supply bill before the Senate
until the veto has been acted
upon. The idea is that If the veto
Is sustained the Navy bill can be
used as a vehicle for getting the
bonus proposal up again.
Senator Clark, an expert par
Humanitarian, explained that
point of order could be raised
against placing the veterans COM
pensation proposal as an amend
ment to the Navy bill, but that by
q vote of two-thirdS Of the Senate
the rules could be suspended so
as to make the action valid. He
added:
Il think I may as well move
that the rules be suspended In
order that the bonus can be
attached, because 1t would take
twO.thirds to override the Pres
adent'S veto Of such q measure
anyway, and we may as well see
If we have the strength ut the
outset"
SKIRMISH PENDING
Meanwhile, a skirmish was
scheduled for today on the mat
ter. Senator Joseph Robinson
Cd of Arkansas, Democratic
floor leader, was expected to move
the adoption of the resolution,
already adopted by the House,
authorizing a joint session Of Con-
gress for tomorrow to hear the
President deliver his bonus veto
message in the House.
Senator Frederick Steiwer (R)
of Oregon will object. and there
may be some fireworks resulting.
In the face of the determined
effort which the Administration
has announced it will make to
have the bonus veto sustained,
reports that Senators who origi-
nally voted against the bonus
will vote to override the veto
persisted today.
It will be an unprecedented
action on the part Of the Presi-
dent, no other Chief Executive
ever having come in person to
deliver a veto. This was inter
preted by some pro-bonus Sena-
tors as a sign that the President
realizes the strength Of the Pat
NANTES, and is taking this dra.
matte step IS a "last resort"
Legality Doubted.
Some Senators are saying that
to call joint session of the Con-
gress to hear the President to-
morrow would be an unconstitu-
tior1al procedure. Parliamenta-
rians ,in both House and Senate
have made diligent searches at
tempting to dig out a precedent
for this action. but thus far
they are reported to have met
without success.
Steiwer is ready to argue his
contention that the proposed
joint session is unconstitutional
but Senator Robinson claims his
argument is unSound. Debate on
the proposal. q measure which
approached the status Of cour-
tesy after the President an
nounced his intention of appear
ing to deliver his veto, is expected
to be brief. Nevertheless, it pro-
vided an uncomfortable situation
for the Democrats.
A n11noher nf Sanaf0rS have
grumbled privately at the Execu-
tive's move on the bonus veto.
Pro-bonus forces behind the scenes
used the word "stage-play" and
publicity stunts freely in refer
ring to the veto message tomor-
row.
Butler Joins Fight
Bonus forces today mapped a
new campaign for cashing the
bonus and called defiantly for the
support of every man who ever
carried gun for his Govern
ment.
Maj. Gen. Smedley D. Butler,
former Marine stormy petrol, was
called in and volunteered his
services in the formation of a
new veterans organization to push
the issue.
Sitting in the office of Senator
Thomas, General Butler outlined
plans for a national unit dedi-
Gated to the sole object of secur-