Evening star., 1935-05-21
Capitol Hears President Will
Spurn Any FuIl-Pay-
ment Bill.
ROOSEVELT'S PERSONAL
APPEARANCE is HIT
Robinson Compromise Hint Is
Discussed as Veterans Marshal
Forces for Measure.

As the Capitol heard that President
Roosevelt would reject any proposal
for full and immediate payment OF
the bonus, plans for a joint congress
sional session tomorrow to receive the
veto message on the Patman bill
were blocked temporarily at least by
Senators Steiwer Republican, Of Ore
gon and Long, Democrat, OF Louisiana.
Steiwer held up action on the reso-
luton to authorize the joint session
for almost an hour with speech de-
nouncing it as unconstitutional and
merely stage setting"
He said the idea was contrary to
the spirit of our form Of Government"
in that it would give the Chief Execu-
tives view greater influence than 1t
was designed to have.
Senators Tydings, Democrat, OF
Maryland, then launched into long
discussion of foreign trade when Long
refused to permit an immediate vote
on the resolution for joint session.
Senator Robinson, Democratic lead
er, who called up the resolution, con-
tended there was no limitation in the
Constitution against joint sessions
wherever the two Houses chose to
have them.
Proposal Held Improper"
When the Senate met, Senator Rob-
inson called up for the second time
the House resolution for a joint ses-
sion.
Senator Steiwer, who blocked action
on the resolution yesterday, immedi-
ately contended the proposal was i'm
proper" and unconstitutional.
whats the idea of going over there
to listen to a message when he has
already sent you word what the mes
sage is going to be?" Senator Long,
Democrat, of Louisiana interjected.
Steiwer said nothing is to be gained
by the Senate in taking UP its time
FOR that purpose"
/ Claims violation.a
The Oregon Senator conceded the
President had q right, II he chose. to
deliver his message in person to the
HOuse instead Of sending it, but con-
tended the joint session "is violation
Of the Constitution"
IT can see no reason why the Senate
should volunteer to do this extra legal
thing Just to provide a stage setting
for a more effective veto. We have
no business there"
Senators Clark, Democrat, Missouri;
Connally, Democrat, Texas, and Bark
ley, Democrat, of Kentucky, ques-
toned the oregon member repeatedly,
each contending the President had a
right to read his message to joint
meeting.
Clark argued Under Steiwer's theory
branch of Congress could stop a
Presidents message at the door and
hold up message until it was found
out what was in it"
Meanwhile conflicting claims of
strength came from Patman bill lead
ers after another strategy meeting to
canvass votes. Some predicted fatty
that President Roosevelt's veto would
be over-ridden. Others were still pes
simistic.
The meeting was attended by Brig
Gen. Smedley D. Butler. retired, for
mer Marine Corps commandant, who
proposed that if the bill was defeated,
the veterans should be organized into
a political machine, similar to the
Grand Army of the Republic follow
ing the Civil War.
A positive claim of sufficient votes
to override tomorrow's veto came
from Senator McCarran, Democrat,
of Nevada. Senator Thomas, Demo-
crat, of Oklahoma was noncommital.
preliminary Skirmish."
''This is a preliminary skirmish,"
the Oklahoman told newspaper men
He denied that was a concession of
defeat
Thomas said the bonus forces might
be ready to vote in the Senate to-
morrow, shortly after the House vote,
but several Senators would debate the
veto message before the ballot
There will be no effort to ram the
bill through or to delay it." he said.
I'VE are ready whenever the Senate is"
House Democratic leaders decided
today to block any attempts to debate
the bonus before a vote on whether
to override the veto.
An informed source said the Amer
ican Legion probably would press for
new bonus bill If the Patman bill
veto is upheld.
The new bill would seek to elimi-
nate the currency imitation aspects of
the Patman measure and meet OBJ
jections found in the Presidents
message, as far as possible.
Procedure on Vote.
President Roosevelt will deliver his
veto message to joint session of
House and Senate. Immediately
after the Senators leave and the
House resumes its session, Speaker
Byrns said he automatically would
put this to the House:
The question is, Shall the (Patman
bonus) bill pass, the Presidents veto
to the contrary Notwithstanding"
That normally is not debatable.
Byrns said, adding that he will rec
ognize no one to debate it.
Should unanimous consent be asked
for time to debate, other leaders in
dicated objections would block any
speech-making.
.Byrns declined to discuss the sus-
gestion by Senator Robinson that If
the Patman bill veto is upheld, anoth-
er compromise measure might be de-
sirable.
THAT is matter for Senate discus
sion," Byrns said, "and 1 don't feel
I ought to express an opinion on It,"
Legion Drives for Victory.
An American Legion spokesman said
the IL Senators he had named for
special consideration in its drive for
the Patman bill were mainly men con-