Evening star., 1923-12-07


Coolidges address yesterday closely
followed It's delivery to Congress and.
as usual, there was a great diversity
OF opinion.
AS political document, of great
potential effect on the 1924 campaign.
on the personal fortunes Of Mr.. Cool
idge and those of his party, the ad-
dress had been awaited expectanuy
by leaders Of all parties. It met to-
day with expressions of general praise
from many republicans, with less en-
thusiastic approval from others, and
with immediate criticism from the
democrats.
Senator Underwood of Alabama.
the only avowed democratic presiden-
tial candidate who sits in Congress.
was not present at the joint session
and made no comment. He has de-
clared for the World Court plan and.
like Mr.. Coolidge, is against the bo-
nus. William G. McAdoo has come
out In favor of both.
Critics I'm Two Groups.
The La Toilette group of republt-
cans criticized features of the Presi-
dents program, but Senator La Fol-
! lette himself was confined at home by
iiiIeSS- I rom tHe rar1nSr-ldDOr SlQe
came criticism OF the Presidents ag-
ricultural relief program. but COM
mendation of his stand regarding
Russia. Disagreement with the Mel
lon tax program Endorsement given
by Mr. Coolidge also was expressed
by the La Toilette and farmer Dor
elements
The reaction of 1.-The country" to
the Presidents recommendations will
be watched carefully by all party lead
i n
| many political figures. Chairman Adams
| or the republican national committee
! several national committeeman and
| Chairman Hull of the democratic COM
mittee were among those who listened
! with evident interest.
Commenting on the Presidents ad-
dress. Mr. Hull said it was stand pat"
| and "reactionary." It's outstanding fea-
! ture. he asserted. "s a bid for the
presidential nomination In 1924 and the
support of the predatory special in
| terests in the campaign to follow" and
! II treats only Of symptoms and Of these
| in most perfunctory manner"
Pleascs Special interests.
"The message" Mr. Hull added, will
please the special interests and
strengthen President Coolidge's chances
for the nomination.
The citadel of special privilege Is the
| prohteering tariff. therefore, President
1 =
! its general revision.
He favors q reduction of taxes. and
who does not? He commends the Mellon
plan, upon which his party IS divided,
and virtually admits. what the demo-
| cratic party has insisted upon since
1871, that the presen. revenue bill is a
war.tax measure and economically a
botch. =
Readers OF the message will not be
| able to reconcile the recommendations
IfOr tax reductions with President
Coolidge's Endorsement of the present
| profiteer tariff act, the latter of which
! takes $4,000. 100000 a year out of the
pockets Of the people and puts $4,000
100000 Of that in the pockets Of the
| prof1teers and only $500. 900. 600 in the
Treasury. The President says the
tariff act has been productive of an
! aboundfng prosperity Certainly not
70 the people who Pay the $4,000, ,00O,-
| 900 tariff taxes
ruptcy and despair. he offers no sub
| stantial or permanent relief. declar-
| ing that for the most part agriculture
| is successful
| 1T was not to be expected that the
| message would repudiate the World
| Court proposal of President Coolidge's
| predecessor and of his own Secretary
OF state, but the President Is unable
! 20 oner any other foreign policy of
| his own.
graph in recognition Of labor. Either
no reference or no remedy Is offered
with respect to high prices-except
| tor most farm products-high fuel,
| high freight rates, high rent. whole
sale profiteering, and general high
cost OF living. 1t is also silent on the
wholesale jobbery and corruption that
today scandalize many departments of
the government.
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts,.