Evening star., 1923-12-24
EXPECT COOLIDGE
TO EXERT POWER
Republican Leaders Believe
He Can and Will Bend
Congress.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

President Coolidge's friends and po-
litical supporters expect that the new
year will bring prompt evidence of his
leadership. Congress is to be left in
no doubt of Mr.. Coolidge's determine
ton to secure action on the program
he laid down in his message. No "big
stick" of Roosevelt pattern will be used.
Something will be employed more in
accord with the Coolidge penchant for
getting things done quietly. But the
country and the republican party and
Congress will be conscious that the
President recognizes his responsibilities
and does not intend to shirk them.
All and sundry concerned with Calvin
Coondge's political fortunes recognize
the necessity for the assertion of his
leadership. His work, as they see 1t, was
well begun with his courageous pres
entation Of "the state Of the Union on
December s. But If the President left
matters there his work would ONLY have
been mapped out. Nothing would have
been done to put it into execution.
Program Must BE Fed.
His advisers are convinced Mr.. Cool
idge understands that his program is
incapable of incubating itself. It has
to be fed. nourished and prodded by
the man who Matched it. The Presi-
dent Is authoritatively understood to
be ready to put himself back of such
an effort. He would prefer to do it
without fuss or friction, but IL the
strong arm method Is necessary, It will
Coolidge way. but none the less ef-
fectively. From the moment Calvin
Cooiloge became President, his sup
portsrs realized that his ''acid test"
would. would be & his ability to handle Con-
gress The moment of test will be
at hand when House and Senate re-
assemble next week
Administration leaders on CAPITOL
Hin not only expect Coolidge leader
1t VIII be exerted amid circumstances
none too favorable from the Presi-
dents point of view. The Coolidge
program comprehends. primarily, four
paramount para issues-taxation.. opposi-
and railroad legislation. On ali four
OF those questions Congress presents
a front that is either hostile or in
different to the Presidents proposals.
All parties are in agreement with him
as to the urgency Of tax legisla tion
Yet few leaders, either republican or
democratic, think the Mellon -Coolidra
program Is capable of adoption with
out serious amendment.
Smoot II Pessimistfc.
Senator Smoot, chairman of tho
finance committee of the Senate ia
quoted by republican senator's as
being in some doubt as to the efficacy
Of bringing out a bill. The present
tax laws were passed by a Congress
In which the republicans held both
House and Senate by large, reliable
majorities. Recent events on Captto,
Hill plainly revealed the difficulties
OF drumming up majority for re-
publican schemes, to say nothing Of
an acrimonious issue like taxation
Mr.. Coolidge opposes the bonus. Yet
he faces Congress overwhelmingly
in favor OF it-even over his veto. IL
necessary.
AS to the world court, the repub.
lican leader in the Senate and chair
man of the Senate COMMITTEES ON for
eign relations. Henry Cabot Lodge, is
in avowed opposition to the Presi-
dents program. Coolidge leadership
will be required there II the major
ra .Hardins :. policy d. ass ssspoused by Mr.
in the pigeon-hole Of Senator Lodges
committee room. AS to railroad leg
islation, such as authority for volun-
tary consultations" which the Presi-
c,
troubles facing him are little short of
mountainous. The bitter fight, not
vet ended, for the Craftsmanship of
the Senate committee on interstate
commerce, which handles railroad
legislation, is token enough Of what
awaits administration measures for
new transportation laws.
Gesture May SuAce.
It may be, politicians say. that Mr..
Coolidge will content himself with a
demonstration Of leadership; that he
will make certain vigorous gestures
and let, 1t go at that. If Congress is
needless, the President thus would
have an "alibi." He would be able
to place the blame squarely on the
shoulders of House and Senate. But,
as certain western senator's already
can be heard saying-republican pro-
gressives for the most part-the
country IL in no mood for "alibis." "
1t wants action. not excuses.
It does not expect the White House
to accomplish miracles. but 1t is
CONTINUED on Page 2. Column L.