The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-06-20

N0V0~l8A W No Al B0b.J
Washington, uJne 2o.-Vice Pres
dent Coolidge IL . man Of very few
words but what he told President
Harding and the cabinet recently
made Q deep impression. For It was
learned today that after a trip
through the west Mr., Coolidge came
back convinced that the country
was good deal more impatient for
action by congress on a new tax
program than folks In the national
capital had been inclined to believe.
Mr.. Coolidge reported on the SEN
tiMent which he had found out
west, particularly among Republi-
cans who felt that 1t was Of para
importance, that the tax
question Be disposed Of without fur
ther delay.
The new administration In Wash
ington has not doubted the exist
ence Of q strong sentiment for tax
revision but has been unable, Of
course. to speed up congress be-
cause that body has thus far In
sisted on steering its own course.
But matters are growing serious.
Republican leaders in various parts
of the country are worried. They
know that there Is political dyna-
mite in the tax question but they
are even more concerned that con-
gress has evidently made little
progress toward a solution, and
here it is almost midsummer when
the whole thing was to have been
passed and out Of the way.
Tariff is Problen.
The tangles in the tariff are local
in their effect and no one denies
that discomfort over certain pro-
posed schedules is causing consid-
cradle political ruction. The in
surgency of the Minnesota Repub-
licans who protest against the Ford
ney tariff on lumber is only the
forerunner OF q series Of clashes
between sections of the country ae
well as opposing interests in the
manufacturing. agricultural and
banking world.
Thus far President Harding has
kept out Of the general run of con-
trcversies on the tariff but people
on, capitol hill believe he will
sooner or later have 70 tExe q kaild
and steer the ship. Hr. Harding a.
ready has made It plain that he will
insist only on the tariff and tar
bills this session and that while he
would like to see other measures
like q new department of public
welfare or government reorgani.
zation bill put through. he realizes
precedence must be given the tariff
and taxes even though nothing else
is done on other bills.
Harding Stands AlQok
Mr.. Harding Is trying not TO forcs
congress. He Is loath to do any.
thing that might seem to be dicta'
tion either in Wilsonian or Roose
veltian sense. He would prefer
that congress function under it.
own leadership.
But even the leaders In congress-
are not altogether sure that Is q
good plan. They do not, Of course
want to be forced to do thing,
against their better judgment. they
do not like to be ordered to pass :
bill when there is powerful senti
ment inside the party against II, but
when the whole situation is more Of
less in confusion and members ar,
pressing consideration Of their owl
bills as against administration
measures, it is helpful for the lead
ers to get q word Of counsel from
the chief executive. q,
So difficult has the whole situa
tion become incidentally that som,
Of the Republican leaders who know
Mr.. Harding's aversion to anything
that may look like an instruction
to congress are considering the wis
dom of sending the steering com
mittees of the senate and house t.
Mr.. Harding for advice. II the tni
tiative were constantly taken by tn
leaders in congress they feel thei
consultations will not be subject t
criticism.
Congress Divided.
It is not merely on the tariff ant
taxes that conflicts have and will
occur. BY far the most serious sit
uation before congress today is tn
naval appropriation bill. Afte
slashing the military appropriation
and insisting that the army be Gu
to $1,000 men over the protests Q
General PersEing and Chairman
Kahn Of the house military affair
committee, the naval program
similarly being chopped up. tn
house insists upon going furthe
than the senate In cutting dow
naval expenses and while ordtnaz
lily q controversy between the sen
ate and house over military an
naval expenditures IL settled b
yielding to the senate desires thi
time the sentiment in the house
almost too powerful to be dispose
OF that way. Most OF tho member
OF the Republican and Democrat
parties feel that their political live
are In danger II they do not Gu
down government expenditure
sufficiently to permit Of Z substaz
tial reduction in the tar rate.
Tho demand for economy IL mon
partisan but the Republican lead
ers know their party will after q
be held responsible In tho ma
congressional elections. Vice Pre-
ident Coolidge brought truthful IL
ings TO the cabinet meeting. Som
action from the executive to spee
work on tariff and tax revision l
certain to follow.
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