The daily times., 1921-08-04
DOG DAYS IN CAPITAL
Marking Time While the Presi-
dent is Away. Believed He
Will Be Compelled to Force
Tax Revision, Which is Max
ing Breach in Republican
Ranks.
(By David Lawrence).
Copyright, 1921, by The Daily

Times.)
Washington, Aug. 3.-For the first
time since Inauguration, President
Harding is away from the White
House on a long trip and Washington
is experiencing today the full effects
of the absence of the Executive The
machinery of government is not slow
er, there is no apparent diminution of
energy but it is a fact that many
things are accumulating for the Pres
ident to decide on his return.
Congress is in no happy mood over
its enforced presence in the national
capital during the so-called dog
days" and to add to it's normal dis
comfort there is not only tariff bill
to deal with but an even more COM
plex piece legislation-a revenue bill.
Broadly speaking, the differences
of opinion that are cropping up over
the tax program will continue and al
ready the sharp criticism directed by
Republican members of Congress at
Secretary MELONS tax proposals are
making lines of cleavage. In the end,
Mr. Harding will have to step in and
force through an administration pro-
gram or there will be no tax bill at
all. The theory that a tax measure
could be passed more rapidly than
the tariff is being disproved. More
individuals are affected by the tax
proposals than by the tariff duties.
Furthermore the tariff is not as read
lily grasped by the layman as is a
tax program. The mention of ten
dollars per year as a tax on automo-
biles is quickly understood whereas
a fourth of one percent duty on some
: kind of mineral doesn't excite much
interest.
Already the protests over the tax
proposals made public the other day
are pouring in. This is not unex-
pected Nobody wants any increase
of taxes on anything and the whole
country would like to see all taxes
removed if possible, The plan to
, open up new sources of taxation
meets inevitable opposition from
those who were not previously af-
, fected Congress with its varied re-
presentation and sectional interests
Immediately hears from the country
and the voices of approval are never
: so loud as those of disapproval.
Ultimately the Executive has to
: intervene. President Harding is for
tunately away during the first temp
, est. It would be to his advantage to
stay away until Congress threshed
: the whole thing out and either
, reached an agreement or became sc
,deadlocked as to require his aid.
Meanwhile other legislative pro-
, posals are held in abeyance- Con-
gress moves slowly in summer time
anyway but the clouds that come
with tariff and tax discussion hover
imenacingly over the heads OF the
members of both the Senate and
House. The chief desire of most mem
, bers is to be reelected and the poll
ltical dangers of both tariff and ta1
revision are only now beginning tC
be understood as the wall of com
, plaint rises up from the country oV-
, er high taxes and poor business con
. ditions. The Republican party has
$ big majority but nearly ever Repub
ilican leader will admit that he ex
-ipects losses next time which will GU
f ldown that majority considerably. Mr.
Harding however needs a big major
Iity in Congress to overcome the var
y iious groups and factions. The sue
q Icess of his administration will de
-ipend largely on what can be accom-
tplished in the last two years AM
. oitherefore the Executive is as mucl
! llconcerned. that Congress does tn
fright thing as are the members them
(Continued on page 81