The Holly chieftain., 1923-12-13
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Coolidge in First Message Favors
Tax Reduction, Opposes Sol
diers' Bonus.
1uRIEs LOSE IN ENGLAND
BY EDWARD W. plckARD

n UR national legislative mill re-
~ opened on Monday when the Six
ty-eighth congress began its first ses-
sion. Plenty of grist will be poured
into its hoppers. but few II any laws
win be ground out for several weeks.
So slender is the present Republican
majority that the group Of progress
sivea was able TO block the Organlza-
tion Of the house until assurance 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
frst message to the two houses.
Clearly and concisely, the President
declared himself In favor Of continu-
Ing oar present foreign policy and
therefore against the ratification of
the covenant Of the League Of Ma
tiofss- Said he: 1.-THE league exists
as foreign agency. We hope 1t will
be helpful. But the United States
sses no reason TO limit Its own free
dom and independence of action by
Joining 1t. We shall do well to recog-
nixe this basic fact in all national af-
fairs and govern ourselves accord
ingiy."
OF the closely related question Of
American membership In the world
court he said: "As wish to see
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.
] therefore commend It 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
that the soviet government would not
be recognized by the United States SO
long as II refuses to recognize the
sanctity Of international relations, but
he said he was willing to make large
concessions. and that our government
would offer no objection to the carry
Ing on Of commerce by Americans with
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 of
Great Britain,
Continuation OF the policy of re-
trenchment and economy by the gov
eminent was strongly urged. and SO
WAS the abolition of the right to issue
tax-exempt securities. The President
asked congress to avoid constant re-
vislng Of the tarin law. promising to
exercise his power to change the
schedules whenever Investigation
showed this to be wise.
dent whole-heartedly supported Secre-
tary Melons recommendations for the
reduction Of taxes, saying that '.of all
services which the congress can rem
der to the country. have no heslta-
tion in declaring this one to be para
mount" He especially commended a
decrease on earned incomes and
further abolition of admission and
message taxes. He also expressed op-
position to excess-profits taxes.
After hearing this, congress waited
eIpectantly for the part OF the mes
sage dealing with the care of the vet
Grams of the World war. and was not
surprised when Mr. Coolidge closed
that section with the words: ~ do
not favor the granting of bonus. -
However. he declared himself in favor
OF much OF the legislative program
which the American Legion Will pre-
sent to congress.
Taking up the troubles OF the wheat
farmers, Mr.. Coolidge said:
Indirectly. the farmer must be re-
lieved by reduction of national and
local taxation. He must be assisted