HOUSE CAUCUS PASSES BUCK ON SOLDIERS BONUS TO HARDING
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 18, 1922, "a rump caucus* between Speaker Frederick H. Gillett** and twenty-five members...failed to end the confusion...on what to do with its soldiers bonus bill***."
The conference ended with the agreement that the question of the bonus bill will be passed on to President Warren G. Harding.
Speaker Gillett's only comment after the caucus ended was...
"I shan't have any statement to make until Monday."
*A rump caucus occurs when a group of representatives is formed by the remaining body of supporters and leaders who do not support a breakaway group.
**Frederick Huntington Gillett (1851-1935) was born in Westfield, MA & was educated at Amherst College & Harvard School of Law. FHG served in the Massachusetts state government and both houses of the United States Congress, 1879-1931.
***The Soldiers Bonus Bill did not become law until April 10, 1924 awarding WWI veterans additional pay for their service.
SOURCE
"Leaders Pass Bonus Buck To Harding," The New York Tribune, March 19, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
