Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-12-08
FROWNS ON BONUS!
APPROVES HARDING
WORLD COURT PLAN
Coolidge Takes Firm Stand
on All Current Issues in
First Message to Congress,
Delivered in Person

WASHINGTON, Dec. ga legis-
lative program to"ching almost ev-
cry aspect Of national life was pre-
sented by President Coolidge today
in his first message to congress, de-
livered in person.
He Endorsed President Harding'a
proposal for American membership
with reservations in the world court;
unqualifiedly approved Secretary
Melons taxi auction plan, and a.
nounced his opposition to enactment
Of sole = bonus legislation.
He also went on record as favorin
stimulated consolidation of railroads,
reorganization of the railroad freight
structure as applied to farm prod
ucts; and government assistance in
the disposition of exportable wheat.
He declared against price-fixing for
farm products; against repeal of the
rate section of the transportation
act; and against revision of the
tariff law.
Against SOJuIeF BONUS
Making his first pronouncement on
many public questions. the president
presented series of succinct rec
| concentrations without attempt a.
argument. He used exactly nine
words in disposing of the bonus
question. After urging adequate
care for disabled former service men
and generosity in providing such
care, he said:
Il do not favor the granting of a
bonus"
The treatment of the world court
and the Mellon tax plan was almost
as brief. In approaching the court
problem he noted that American fer
eigf policy always had been guided
by the principles of avoidance Of
permanent political alliances sacrifice
ing independence and of peaceful
settlement of international contro-
| veFsies. He called SsttGhtfon that
the United Stah.y acting on these
principles had Tor nearly twenty
| five years been a member of The
Hague tribunal and added that the
proposed world court was "a new
and somewhat different plan
This IS not a partisan question"
artificial Importance. AS 1 wish to
see a court established, and as the
proposal presents the only practical
plan on which many nations have
ever agreed, though it may not ~
every desire, I, therefore, commend
it to the favorable consideration of
the senate, with the proposed reser-
Vations clearly indicating our refusal
n nd 70 In + 1F 3
Galleries Thronged
Mr.. Coolidge spoke in the house
chamber, standing at the clerks
desk in front of the speakers dais
where he had sat as vice president
on the occasion that his late chief
addressed congress.
There was an unusual demand for
tickets to the house galleries to hear
the first speech of the new presi-
dent, and even standing room was
at a premium long before he began
to speak. Outside, on the capitol
plaza, another large crowd heard
the address through an simplifying
device, and at the same time IL was
carried throughout the entire coun-
try by radio.
On the floor of the house itself
bers complained they were unable to
get the seats to which were en-
titled. l. wise officers were directed
to clear the floor, just before the
presidents arrival, of persons not
entitled to admission.
Mrs. Coolidge sat in the executive
gallery. She had arrived before the
house assem- al noon, and receiv.
ed an ovation from the floor and
galleries.
Senators, representatives and spec
tators stood and applauded when the
PRECEDENT appeared. The applause
expar- into cheers from the Re-
publican side as he. shook hands
with Speaker Gillett and President
Cummins of the senate and bowed
to his audience.
League Reference Applaudeds
The chief executive spoke slowly
and deliberately without effort at
oratory. The first applause came
when he declared the United States
saw no reason to limit it's own free
dom and independence of action by
joining the League of Nations.
There was scattering applause as
Mr.. Coolidge declared for the world
court, but with reservations. A
declaration against recognition Of
the Russian soviet government
brought further manifestations of
approval as did the presidents. an
nouncement that he did not favor
cancellation Of IT, -oreign war debt,
nd his announcement Of his "un-
qualified approval of the Mellon tax
p. Dgram.
recommendations relating to pro-
hibition enforcement were received
in silence, but there was applause
from the Republicans as the execu-
tive declared congress should use
all its power to prevent and punish
lynchings.
Manifestations of approval from
both Republicans and Democrats fol-
lowed Mr.. Coolidge's declaration for
Strengthening of the army and
the navy, and his recommendation
for limitation of immigration.
WITTY nREAT NAnADRu MAN