New Britain herald., 1923-12-07
Member Audit Rurcan of Circulation.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Whether or not there is universal approval in this country of the con seryativc, certainly there Is approval Of d conservative who has the courage to show plainly that he is Of that school. This courage President Coolidge has displayed in his message to Congress, and for this quality in this regard he Is to he admired. The message. as a whole, Is called d courageous ono but separating the presidents attitui, q: conservatism from the poIrios Ia aasoestas, t IS nur quit" a4 nnar tt 'r"rv Was cour1g. m .Hr a'.r. as ..rr, N1s in ibo torw,r if. ,z,er~ . reduCuou of taxes. Who does not IIa ea1ors the Mellon plaD Certainly d majority Of his party faeors that plan, if 1t be conceded, as it must bc, that opposi- ton to the bonus iS not technically a part or tine plan. This, for the req son that it may not be treated as matter 10 be reduced to cold figures, as other phases or Secretary Melons plan may be
 In regard to tho samr bonus it may be believed that the president has saved himself much embarrassment by making docisiou at this time, whether that decision bo right or wrong. ll- Has taken llis position and can not well change it lie has turned from him the people who would plead with him for the bonus There wiu be just as sincere dotcrmi- nation to carry on on the part ot those who advocate the bonus as d matter of justice, and who believe that if there is a practicable plan to sa,c tho taxpayers s843,o0o.ooo, some s9o,00o, ooo CT such saving might wei Doe spent to pay this debt, pet the presidents stand. which was to bc eA- pected. relieves him from the neces- sity Of listening to their pleadings, With the powerful backing his op- position to the bonus viii bring him, it may be said without accusing the president of being influenced into un- worthy action. that he has chosen such strong organized backing in preference to the unorEanized tout- side of the American LegisnJ ap- proval of the bonus. The fact that his choice Of paths gives him this backing does not imply that any ui- tcrior motive prompted his selection any more than it may be said justly Q man who marries a girl with much money WIS influenced by her wealth in making his choice.
 Many may agree that the rresi- dents urging abolizhment oI taN-e2- cmpt securities is wise. But there will be well considered protest against ac- complaining this by constitutional amendment
 Constant loss by the government may well inspire tho advocacy ol transfer Of shipping to private inter- ests when possible, and meanwhile a continued government operation. This position is mere letting things ride" as they arc. %ut too strong Is the recommendation Tor railroad con solidation, which can not well come about quickly without government ownership unless the railroads show greater grasp of their own affairs than has been apparent. And certainly the president was not limiting at such government ownership. Little hope for relief is seen in the brief words regarding the coal situation. Another commission. Moderate indeed was tI4e presidents well stated advocacy Of law enforcement. He could not well have said Jess. he Is antagoaizius fen people in his stand in this regard. And quite probably there is generally thorough accord with President Cool idge-s stand for a strong drfeBss for the courtry. now and for tae imme- diate future. The odor Of fhe shells stiH comes.
 And President Coolidge struck popular note in his opposition ig aHg debt-canceIiation plan. as. il is be- Iieved. hs did in his refusal to adg0- cate recognition Of Russia as long as the Soviet refuses to follow business principles in the matter of ownership of private property. in theory as a fact. The general public opinion is against price fixing. in the matter Of crops or anything aiss. The spirit of it is repuls8ve to our way Of thinking. The president took no chances in his conrnents upon this affair. Tho presideut's characteristic cousertafisul r sHoun in his belief that 8 constant revislon of Ubs snTsh by Congress ls