The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-20

, in order to provide in part at least for the loss of revenue should these pledges be carried out. The suggestion of the repeal of the excess profits tax and the reduction in the surtaxes on larger in- comes Is not a partisan one It was made by the Wilson administration, but was not acted upon by Congress.
 BANKS ON MELLON
 In the dilemma which confronts him, President Harding is looking to one man above all others to find a way out of the vexations of taxation. This new po-
 itical Moses is none other than Andrew w. Mellon of Pittsburg, Secretary of the Treasury Mir. Harding knew that the financial problems of his administration would be the most strenuous that he would have to meet, and it was with this thought in mind that he sought the services of MT. Mellon in his cabinet. The President looks upon MT. Mellon as little short of a miracle man in matters of finance, and he feels that if any one person in the country has the vision and ingenuity to lead the government to safer and saner financial basis, his Sec retary of the Treasury is that indi- vidual
 In discussing his choice of MT. Melton recently, MT. Harding said he enjoyed the reputation of being able to plunge into chaotic financial situation and bring it to order and tranquility in the shortest possible space of time. MT. Mel lon, the President salu. see IS g,tted Win the magic touch of success. It is said of him that he has never failed in any undertaking. Reputed to be the second richest man in the United States, vet eran in the banking business and accus- toned to handling big business situa- tions, Mr Mellon just now heads the greatest financial institution in the world and Mr Harding has confidence that he will administer it with the same com summate skill which has marked his ca reer in the business world.
 HAS ISSUED WARNING
 But MT. Mellon has been among the first to warn Congress and the people that heavy government appropriations are to be needed this year and next; that no one great cut can be made, and that return to lower expenditures and lower taxes is a slow process in which each man and woman must do his or her part.
 President Harding in his inaugural address, also warned the people against expecting too much.
 we can reduce the abnormal expen- ditures, and we will" he said. ''We can strike at war taxation and we must We must face the grim necessity with full knowledge that the tax is to be solved and we must proceed with full realiza- ton that no statute enacted by man can repeal the memorable laws of nature Our most dangerous tendency is to ex- pect too much of government, and a. the same time do for it too little"
 MT Harding, however, knows that the people are crying for tax relief He knows they are expecting very big cut, and he is keen enough politician to know that failure to grant this relief on the part of the republicans will mean a harl fight in the next congressional elections.
 How to grant the relief is a problem which will keep Congress for a long, time this summer MT. Mondell and other leaders had hoped to cut the navy and army appropriations down to the very bone but the new policy of a big navy as the best means of insuring peace, has knocked out this possibility.
 The postoffice department has called for greater appropriations in order tha: an underpaid personnel may be given increases in salary too long deferred.
 Congess faces the task of granting some sort of soldier relief, either by bonus or otherwise.
 Governmental economy and efficiency through the consolidation of bureaus ani departments can be achieved only after the most painstaking effort. J
 Wherever an obvious saving is encoun- tered. the amount involved is so small as to be we'll night negligible The de- mands, on the other hand, are always great