The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
Senator Shoot Regrets That MT. Mellon Spoke, And That Mir. Coolidge Apparently FavorS The Speaking
WASHINGTON BUREAU I
 THE AGE-HERALD ] WnRhiugfOp ID q Nov % !


 It is pretty definitely established that revision of taxation will be the feature of the forthcoming session of Congress.
 The situation and the time ele- ment appear propitious for the lit tie" man who has borne more than his just share of the burden. If hope undertakes, 1t will be- the result of democratic strategy.
 The Secretary of the Treasury, Mir Mellon, has suggested scheme whereby the burden will be reduced for the small and the large taxpayer. It is regarded as highly probable business, MT Mellon object was to kill by indirection soldier bonus leg islation.
 Mellon Not n Politician.
 MT. Mellon Is not a politician in the primary sense. But Senator Shoot, chairman to be of the finance committee. Is essentially a politician.
 He regrets that MT. Mellon spoke, and that the President has appar- entity approved the speaking. He Is exceedingly sorry that the country has hailed with satisfaction the promise held out by the Mellon state ment.
 For Senator Shoot knows what MT. Mellon apparently doesn't know, and that is that the democrats and the independent republicans, once the matter of taxation is opened, will not be checkmated by any restric- White House or the "reactionary" re- publicans to be imposed.
 That there is danger in the situa- tion is not denied. The democrats and "radicap republicans will not be so mindful of the pocketbook of :, fo-Sg them.
 They are going to relieve the lit tle' fellow. If it is necessary to burden any one in order that the little" fellow might be relieved, they will burden the Dig fellow. opinion of Mellon and Shoot, will draw within itself, and check the wave of prosperity which seemingly promises. if unmolested, to surge for an indefinite period.
 West Already Diseonfented.
 The effects of such situation on the political opportunities of the re- publican party are readily discerned by Shoot and his political associa- tions. The west is already discon- tented. According to some reports, to defeat the republican candidate next year.
 And all that the republicans have to pin their hope to Is good condi- tions everywhere save in the wheat belt.
 If good conditions are effected ad- versely by the effort of demo- cratic c-"radicaW republican majority, the republican organization will be hopeless.
 For such reason. Shoot regrets that Mellon spoke, or that the atti- tude of the President and the people will make it necessary that the question of taxation be raised.
 The democrats and independent re- publicans may proceed even further than to relieve the small taxpayer at the expense of the large.
 They may discount the alleged ar bitrary contention of Mr. Mellon that taxation cannot be reduced and bonus legislation enacted at the same time.
 It is pointed out that if the coali- tion frightens business on the one hand, and burdens the country with bonus legislation on the other, se rious developments might ensue.
 The regular republicans would hold democrats and radicals" re- sponsible. But the voters, if they should act normally, would probably hold those in power responsible.
 There is the basis of the Shoot terror.