HOUSE DEMOCRATS OBJECT TO REPUBLICANS MEETING IN 'SECRET SESSION' WITH LEGION REP
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 17, 1922, Chairman Joseph W. Fordney* (R-Michigan) of the House Ways and Means Committee said that the soldier bonus bill will be reported to a Republican caucus within the next ten days "and a Republican house will pass it."
The chairman's statement followed debate on the floor of the House of Representatives during which Congressman John N. Garner** (D-Texas) objected to Republican members calling in an American Legion representative to meet with them in "secret session."
In a related development, the National Grange sent letters to Congressmen in opposition to a sales tax to pay for the soldier bonuses or "for any other purpose."
*Joseph Warren Fordney (1853-1932) was born in Hartford City, Indiana & served in the U.S. House of Representatives 1899-1923. JWF was co-sponsor of the Fordney-McCumber Tariff Act of 1922 which raised tariff rates on many imported goods.
**John Nance Garner (1868-1967) was born in Red River, Texas & served in the U.S. House of Representatives 1903-1933. JNG was VPOTUS under FDR 1933-1941. On the morning of Nov 22 1963, President John F. Kennedy called the former VP to wish him a happy birthday.
SOURCE
"Uproar In House On Soldier Bonus," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., February 17, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
