The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-12-12
NEWS review OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Coolidge in First Message FavOrs
Tax Reduction, Opposes Sol
dieFS' Bonus.
TORIES LOSE IN ENGLAND
BY EDWARD w. K A

y UR national legislative mill re-
~ opened on Monday when the Six
ty-eighth congress began it's first ses-
sion. Plenty Of grist will be poured
into It's hOppers, but few if any laws
viii be ground put for several weeks.
So slender is the present Republican
majority that the group of progress
sives was able to block the Organiza-
ton Of the house until had
been given that there would be Oppor-
tunity for revision of the rules. Most
Of the group thereupOn voted for the
reelection of Speaker Gillett and the
deadlock was ended. This took place
on Wednesday, and the next day Presi-
dent Coolidge delivered in person his
first message to the two houses.
Clearly and c~oneisely, the President
declared himself in favor of cOntinu-
ing our present foreign policy and
therefore against the ratification of
the covenant of the League of Ma
tons. Said he: "The league exists
as a foreign agency. We hope it will
be helpful. But the United States
sees no reason to limit its own free
dom and independence of action by
Joining It. We shall do well to recOg-
nize this basic fact in all national af-
fairs and govern ourselves accord
ingly."
OF the closely related question Of
American membership in the world
court he said: "As I 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 meet every desire,
I therefore commend 1t to the favor
able consideration Of the senate, with
the proposed reservations clearly in
dicating our refusal TO adhere to the
League of Nations" =
Expressing earnest hope that the
people of Russia will be restored to
their position among the nations OF
the earth, Mr.. Coolidge declared fatty
that the soviet government would not
be recognized by the United States sc
long as it refuses to recognize the
sanctity of international relations, but
he said he was willing to make large
concessions, and that u government
would offer no objection to the carry
ing on of commerce by Americans will
the people of Russia. Concerning the
war debts owed us by other nations
he said he did not favor their cancel
lation, but saw no objection to adjust
Ing them as was done in the case o.
Great Britain.
Continuation Of the policy Of re
%trenchment and economy by the gov
eminent was strongly urged, and 81
was the abolition of the right to ISSUE
tax-exempt securities. The Presiden
asked congress to avoid constant ne
vising of the tariff law, promising t
exercise his power to change tn
schedules whenever investigation
showed this to be wise.
As had been predicted, the Pres
dent intellectually supported Secre
tary Melons recommendations for tn
reduction of taxes, saying that "of a
services which the congress reT
der to the country, l have no hesits
ton in declaring this n to be pars
mount" He especially commended
decrease on earned incomes an
further abolition Of admission an
message taxes. He also expressed OF
position to excess-profts taxes.
After hearing this. congress waite
expectantly for the part of the me-
sage dealing with the care Of the We
Grams of the World war, and was NJ
surprised when Mr.. Coolidge close
that section with the words: Il d
not favor the granting Of a bonus.
However, he declared himself in fave
Of much Of the legislative program
which the American Legion will pr
sent to congress.
Taking up the troubles of the whes
farmers, Mr.. Coolidge said;
Indirectly. the farmer must be r
lieved by q reduction Of national an
local taxation. he must be assiste