New Britain herald., 1923-11-17
THE OBSER YER Makes Random Observations
 On the City and Its People

under way and to be picking up speed.
 True, the engine seems to cough bit
 and backfire, but that is to be eX-
 pected of a machine that has been
 parked in the garage for such long time.
 Politics was brought to public at
 tention abruptly this week by the an-
 nouncement of Senator Johnson of California that he was candidate for the republican nomination, by the l indirect launching of a campaign in 1 behalf of McAdoo for the democratic i nomination and by the program for income tax reductions as outlined by l Secretary Mellon of the treasury de-
 partment. The California senator evidently believes in getting in ahead
 of the rust. The fact that he actually
 was in the field surprised no one who
 watches the political pendulum. It was anticipated that he would be a candidate and the surprise would have | Eeen greater had he stated that he would occupy a ringside seat instead of being one of the principals.
 An analysis of Senator Johnsons
 
 of the stereotyped kind, carefully pre-
 pared and phrased to catch votes It
 brings before the mind a picture of a smiling old man distributing lollypops among children. Senator Johnson de-
 clares his opposition to the league of nations and all it's subsidiaries in
 much the same manner as a convert
 fiouts the Devil and all his works. He appeals to the radicalism of the west and midwest where colarless and
 garterless saviors of the republic
 have stirred up animosity against any association with foreign countries.
 In the course of his statement, Sen ator Johnson says: Our timid, vaCil-
 ating and contradictory positions de-
 mand that America's foreign policy again be decided by the whole people who must, themselves at whatever cost, maintain it. This time the de- cision should be so clear, so definite and certain, that no casuistry, no spacious plea, no indirection can dis tort it." And the country has been laboring under the belief that this point had been settled definitely sev- iaA dEbs IT otTNtH, d number of republican journals an- nonnced after the defeat of Wilson that foreign entanglements" had been hanged, drawn and quartered and buried so deep that the idea would never be discussed again by intelli- gent men. But the ghost persists in stalking about at times, especially as the hour approaches for national poli- tics to bloom.
 McAdoo declines to amplify a state ment made in his behalf at Chicago as manager Of the former secretary Of the treasury. Whether McAdoo will be acceptable to the democratic party remains for the future to reveal. He is the son-in-law of former Presi- dent Wilson and attachment to the Wilson dynasty is sufficient to throw a large number of democrats into an apoplectic rage. Mir. Rockwell says that the whole country is calling loud for leadership is manifest" With that no one can disagree. But there are so many self appointed leaders who lead to no place in particular that the situation is becoming bore | some. The Rockwell McAdoo state | ment is notable chiefly for what it l docs not say than for what it does say. |
 Secretary Melons pronouncement | in favor of reducing taxes imposed on I persons of moderate incomes, coming | on the eve Of national election, | leaves the mind open to the suspicion | that it's purpose is mainly political. | The suspicion becomes stronger when | 6ne reads the opinions Of members of congress regarding if. Senator Shoot, | chairman Of the fnence committee of | the senate, is frankly skeptical. He | says: Tt would take about one or two | weeks 10 draft bill which would | carry out the secretary's suggestions, | but what human being can tell how long it would take to pass it. When | think of the political speeches that | would be delivered for home con | party advantage and the chance of getting ones name on the front page of the papers of the country, ] despair of hoping that any gcod can come from an attempt of a sane. practical and n-discriminat- pry revenue bill.
 Although other members of con- gress believe that there is much yir- tue in Secretary Mellon's program. F'rear shares, in part. | Senator Shoots melancholy view, say ing: "I am satisfied that Secretary Melons recommendation are moi going 10 be accepted by congress-" Representative oldheld, a democratic Of the house ways and means aOmniitce, makes short work Of the Mellon program by declaring. My prediction is that the Mellon recon. will be shelyed."
 It is practically certain that Secre- |, ary Mellon conferred with President Coolidge before he made public his plan to reduce taxes So the sugEes- ion Is being accepted in many minds IS a siragetic move on the part of hose who would champion the Cool age cause at the republican national 
 Acknowledgement by Chairman Er- win Of the republican town committee hat J. Willie Mills was about to re- lign as the committee member from he second ward is an admission that [ The machine" has at last seen the ( light Miils. Who is suspended Jnohiliii0n enforcement officer. is aid 10 have been appointed through it he influence Of the machine" which Discovered that f had a deserving 1. ,ut office-Iess man on It's hands when |. Mayor Paonessa was successful ini, iaFing tlla work of property tax coi- , ecfor and personal fax collector done Fsr Tse rr.asHs,ssa x,orysFa 4bsret.ty sE,-,.,-.