The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-12-18
WASH|NGTOM| IS
STILL TALKING
Political Outlook Not
Settled by Coolidge
Message


furnished the chief topics OF conver-
sa;ion in Washington this week. As
was predicted last week. the deadlock
between progressives and regulars in
the house was OF short duration. The
message has attracted wide attention
and apparently greatly undue impor-
iancc has been attached to the South
Dakota primaries. How can you tell
what a man thinks when he don't
TALK" inquired Senator Magnus John
son after his first interview with the
President. And Mr.. Coolidge has not
talked until this message. SO for four
months the people have been waiting
to Judge what manner Of man he is
and what he thinks.
There appears to be a concensus
OF opinion that the message is clear,
unequivocal. courageous and-conser-
vaiive. Ii commands high praise from
all stand pat Republicans. partisan
: condemnation from some Democrats.
The progressive view is. perhaps. best
expressed by Representative Nelson OF
; Wisconsin. leader OF the progressives
in the house He says OF it. 81 find
little that will please the country. |
cannot agree with the Presidents re
concentrations with reference to
. transportation. adjusted compensa-
ton. World Court. high coal prices or
the grave and serious problems OF the
farmers of the west" Obviously Mr.
|, Coolidge has determined to stand CT
| fall on the issue OF reduced taxation
, and opposition to the bonus. Unqucs-
tionably. also, a majority OF his own
| party in congress favors the bonus
1 There is nothing in the message to
l inspire enthusiasm or give evidence
! OF leadership and the latter will prove
e the real test. VIII Mr.. Coolidge be
able to lead his party in congress OF
2 will he. like Mr.. Cleveland. OF whose
style his message is reminiscent. mere
5 " quarrel with his party? The rea
= test is yet to come in the opinion oi
D unprejudiced observers.
There was much evidence OF jubila
ton at the White House over the re-
n suits OF the first primary vote in Soutl
;. Dakota. in which the President ap
s peared to have won an Overwhelming
y victory over Senator Hiram johnson
OF California. Then Senator Norbeck
of the state. came out with an expla
= nation of the primary law in which HI
= said. "The law is so complicated ant
h so little understood that only 2 pc
= cent of the voters ever take troubl
: to vote in the fall primaries. There
+ fore the sentiment expressed by tn
J. proposal convention generally fails Il
: he true reflection OF the real senti
a ment OF the voters throughout tn
d state. Johnson's strength will be de
lmons,ra,ed in the March primary whei
in my opinion. he will sweep tn
state" And Senator Johnson himsel
declared that inasmuch as four year
y ago he had not a single vote in tha
II state and in this primary election. with
n out the slightest efforts on his par
he received more than one-third tn
b delegates. he was delighted with tn
II result" Thus South Dakota, fror
e this distance. appears to have settle
a nothing and the merry war is merrie
> than ever.
> While Mr.. Coolidge. like Brer Raj
bit. keeps sayin' nothin 'regsrdin
his presidential aspirations, his friend
! are clearly doing all they can to II
sure his nomination. This was d'
monstrated this week when they al
nounced that Senator Pepper and Rec
of Pennsylvania were for Coolidge an
!" would exert their potent influence
," have the Pennsylvania delegation II
H. structed for Coolidge, despite Il
frantic efforts OF Governor Gifto'
- Pinchot to capture it for himself. Sci
" ators Pepper and Reed promptly
sued joint statement setting fort
tina, they had not and would not con
nit themselves and that they we
ius, as determined as ever to have u
delegation uninstructed.
av The fight over the speakership
a. the house was easily settled. 1t last
ke only long enough to delay for one d.
he the delivery OF the Presidents me
on sage. then a compromise between 9
,le stand-pai,ers and the progressives W
re reached whereby the latter viii ha
no an opportunity to offer and deb'
* some amendments 10 the house rul'
ry. In accordance with the asreeme