The Washington times., 1923-12-14
STAND PAT
MESSAGE
AROUSES
SENATOR
Pleasing to Big Business, But
Not to Mass Of People,
Liberal Declares.

From sick room where no
has been secluded since the open-
ing Of Congress, Senator Robert
NJ. La Toilette (Rep.) of Wis
consin today broke the silence
he has observed for two weeks
and hared forth with a vitriolic
denunciation Of President Cool
idge's annual message to Con-
gress.
ErauIsIy React Onary.
president CooIidge's message 20
Congress. said La Toilette ~ 2
formal statement. .'ia an able, con-
else and frank presentation OF the
stand-pat, reactionary theory Of
government
'There is nothing in the mes
sage that win offend the most
sensitive Of the big business In
terests.
There is little in the message
that will satisfy the mass Of the
American people"
Defines Real Issue"
In discussing the real issue" in
Congress during present session.
La Toilette referred to the fight OF
the ''Progressives'' in the House.
under the leadership of his lieu
tenants from Wisconsin, to secure
revision of the rules.
1.-THE real issue at stake in Con-
gress today he asserted. sis
are to be the right to present the
measures they are pledged to sup
port. and obtain for them a fair
consideration, on their merits.
"The reactionary leaders Of the
Senate and House are determined
to avoid a record vote upon funda-
mental public questions in this ses-
sion of the sixty-eighth Congress.
The Progressives are determined
that Congress shall not adjourn
without going on record on the
great issues which confront the
people"
Defends Railroads.
'"The President places himself
souarely on record in defense OF the
Esch- Cummins law-a law which mas
been repudiated by the people or
every State in which it has been an
issue, and which is responsible for
present extortionate railroad rates,
based upon inflated and fictitious
valuation of railroad property.
1.-THE President recommends that
Congress attempt no further legtsla-
ton upon this subject for the pres
ent, and thereby adds his influence
to the railroad and banking interests
which for two years have prevented
Congress from debating or voting
upon amendments to this ubiquitous
measure.
Aids Big Fortunes.
"The Mellon tax plan, whereby
the great fortunes built up during
the world war are to be relieved
of the righteous requirement OF
paying a just share of the war. has
the Presidents unqualified ap-
same great interests by stating,
without qualification, that he is
opposed to the paying of adjusted
compensation to the men who
fought the war, while these for
tunes were being amaSsed and en-
larged.
"The President is opposed to Gov
eminent ownership of coal mines
and to the regulation of coal prices
and profits during peace time. He
refers the findings and conclusions
OF the united states coal COI1nlS-
sion to Congress without endorsing
them, and suggests that the merg-
ing Of coal Understanding to-
ward further monopoly-might be
helpful to the consumer. His ad-
vocacy of voluntary consolidation
by the railroads is in line with this
recommendation.
Calls Position Novel.
"It is novel and original con.
tribution to the whole discussion
of monopoly for the President to
take the position that moro monop-
oily will cure the evils Of existing
monopoly.
1.-THE Presidents recommendations
in respect to agriculture are ilum-
mating. In effect. he tells the
farmer to help himself. and pun
himself out of the difficulties into
which the 'deflation' policy. the
Esch- Cumnins law, and other acts
Of the Federal Government have