The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-23
PARTY LINES CONVERGE IN
 MELLON PLAN
Republicans, Democrats And ProgreSSiVeS View Score tary'S Reduction Proposal As Calling For Defenite Plan PRESIDENTS POSITION IS STILL A GREAT MYSTERY Most Of Leaders Favor Mel lon Program, But Do Not Believe It Can Be Trans lated Into Legislation

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.-Congres- sional leaders, irrespective of party, are proceeding with caution in their related question of a soldiers bonus. Along the many conflicting opinions only one stands out-that precipi tate action on either proposal is one to be avoided
 The opinion of practically all of the leaders, republican, democrat and republican progressive, is that Secretary Mellon's announcement that the national tax bill can be re- duced by approximately s323. O00, 900 has stirred such a general demand for tax reduction that Congress will be obliged to enact some sort of revenue revision measure. But tax cut at the expense of the sol diers' bonus is certain to meet with determined opposition in both houses.
 Bonus and Tax Cut Botk.
 Suggestions already are being put forward that neither of the two pieces of legislation need be sacri- feed at the expense of the other. Pointing out that the bonus bill ve- toed by President Harding called for an expenditure of only $50, ,000 tn first year, proponents of a bonus argue that 1t is possible to enact that measure and at the same time make a very substantial cut in the tax burden.
 Before committing themselves defi- nitely on either subject. the leaders al the capitol await a definite deter imitation of how the Senate and House are going to line up on the organization votes and the delivery of the first annual message of Pres tt4fr must, of necessity, be important fac- tors in the final legislative plans, certainly so far as the republican organization is concerned.
 Presidents Position Unknown.
 There Is an impression at the capitol that the President will devote a considerable portion of his message to tax reduction and his recommen- dations are expected to follow in general the plan recently outlined by Secretary Mellon. The executives position with respect to the bonus re- mains a subject of speculation Some White House callers have gained the impression that his attitude is not unlike that of President Harding, but even they are uncertain whether he will present any recommendations as to soldiers compensation.
 The chief concern of administra- ton leaders with respect to tax leg islation is as to what sort of a bill could be put through Congress Most Of them are inclined to favor the Mellon program, but they are not at all certain that it can be translated into legislation. The progressives afpopg the republicans in both the House and Senate are planning defi- nite programs of their own and the democrats are known to favor some revision plans which are not included in the Mellon proposal. The uncer- tairty as to what kind of a measure might eventually come out of the legislative hopper caused a number of republican leaders to suggest be- fore MT. Mellon made his announce ment that it probably would be un- wise to open up the tax subject at the coming session. Some of them still are of this opinion and there now Is talk of an attempt to bring the conservatives in the republican and democratic ranks together on a tax platform.
 While they are in favor of tax reduction, several of the new sen-- ators from the Nesl have gone on record against any plan which wil eliminate the soldier bonus.
 While bonus a6vocs tas claim a the Senate, they are not ovcglooking the certainty of strong opposittopg particularly in the Senate Opee+ nents in that body already arc tiuf up for a fight and they lore at much more determ, ned oona7s 'A than there was at taa iasl 'si7D at the time when it was E uarslie understood that President Harding would veto the measure.