Evening star., 1921-09-19
DEMOCRATS PLAN
PARTY STRATEGY
Leaders In and Out of Con-
gress Arranging for Early
Conferences.
BY \. o. MESSENGER.

Upon the reassembling of Congress
ers in that body, together with the
top-liners in the party's national Or
ganiZation, are expected to hold con-
ferences over political strategy 10 be
pursued from now on. Some of them
are said to feel the urge of attack
ing the republican attitude of COM
placency over the administration s
record of achievement.
1t is thought the democratic policy
will be to go along cheerfuiiy with
the republicans on the proposal for
limitation of armamen:s, yielding
with as good grace as possible TO the
republicans such credit as may ac-
crue to them. but TO hammer away
at the republican record in legisla-
ton. 1t is realized. it is said. that
the democrats could gain nothing by
holding back in the traces on. arma-
ments. and that the logical and
proper play VIII be to pull heartily
with the administration.
Credit Conceded to 6. o. p.
The fact is recognized that the arma-
ment limitation movement is the, re-
publicans' pigeon pie and the demo-
Gratis cannot have any of it. although
they can claim that they saw il as
! soon as the republicans did and were
for it all the time"
But the record in Congress is an
other thing entirely, and some of the
democratic leaders feel embOldened
to think that they can find weak
spots in it. To seek them out and
expose and enlarge upon them Will be
considered as good politics and the
bill is counted upon as possibly af-
fording good material for criticism.
1t is to be assumed, of course, that
no tax bill prepared by the majority
party and that whatever the majority
party and that whateve rthe majority
did the minority would claim that
some of it was wrong. The democrats
are expected to insist that the bill
bears upon some classes to their
detriment and favors others.
Republicans to Meet Charge.
The republicans are well aware of
| this condition and their leaders and
spok esmcn al the House and Senate
will be prepared to deny with indig-
nation and to refute with such argu-
ments as they may find at hand. The
republican contention will be that
| this "is the best bill ever"
When the tax bill now on the
statute books was passed it was
under the stress of a great eXigency
and its defects were admitted by its
authors. In extenuation it was urged
that the bill represented the best
that could be done at the time in the
circumstances. The taxpayers were
asked to put up with its inequalities
on that account.
The democrats. it is said, will insis,
that no such palliating plea can be
made in behalf of the bill now ir
course of preparation. They will as
sert that the majority party, in full
control of all branches of the gov.
ernment, has had plenty of time to
frame a well rounded measure of re-
Il, lief. and that if it contains faults the
majority must take the responsibility
! "and stand the gaff.'
The republicans are not frightened
at the prospect and indeed the ex-
pected certainty of the attempt of the
opposition to shoot holes in their bill
but will defend their legislation and
count upon the practical working ou,
! of the law to furnish vindicatior for
i the new law is in force, business and
! the individual taxpayers soon will ad.
| just themselves to it, find benefits ir
| it's operations and that criticism will
| languish.
The republicans are said to be more
concerned in speedy action upon the
| tax bill than in the nature of the OBJ
jections expected from the opposition
| 1t is the opinion of the leaders that
early enactment of the law is the mos
important consideration of the flu.
ture. After the democrats have ha6
| reasonable opportunity to blow of
steam in protest. they will push con.
| stantly for final action.