Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-20
COOLIDGE MESSAGE
Will DEAL WITH
TAX REVISION

Washington, Nov. 19-Considera-
ton of tax revision legislation by the
next congress today became virtually
certain. Its passage however, re-
mains in doubt
Reduction of taxes is to be dis
cussed by President Coolidge in his
opening address to congress. How
far the president will go in his rec
concentrations has not yet been es-
tablished, but he is said to be dis
posed strongly to take the recon-
mendations of Secretary Mellon as
the basis of the taxation phase of his
message. Any suggestion on tax re-
auctions from the president is con-
coded by leaders to give every pros
pect or Opening up the subject for
mally before the congressional COM
mittee having charge of ffsca'f af-
fairs as we'll as in the minds and
speeches of members.
The tax problem, apparently grow
ing in prominence daily in the con-
sideration of administration as we'll
as congressional leaders, was dis
cussed briefly today by President
Coolidge with Senator Smoot, Re-
publican, Utah, who is to be chair
man of the senate finance commit
tee. Senator Lodge, of Massachu-
sets, the Republican leader. who
spent most of yesterday afternoon
in conference with the president also
saw the executive again.
Favorable popular reaction. as evil
denced in newspapers and in many
! fol Lot
White House, toward Secretary Mel
Ions plan to lop off $4,000, 600 of
federal taxes is said to have i'm
pressed President Coolidge.
Senators Lodge. Smoot and other
Republican leaders. while largely in
accord with the desirability of Sec
rotary Melons plan, are known to
hold that practical difficulties pre-
sented by the lineup of parties and
blocs in Congress make the situation
difficult. These leaders believe that
without a positive majority to pre-
vent Kidding of the Mellon plan its
protection would be unwise. They
fear that Democratic and bloc action
might result in what they consider
as harmful rather than BENEFICIAL re-
vision.
President Coolidge is becoming ac-
quainted, during his task of draft
ing his address to Congress. with the
difficulties besetting the road to tax
revision. Although appreciating the
obstacles, his is disposed to incor-
porate the tax ubject in his message.
Leaders believe it possible that.
while giving his approval to Secre-
tary Melons proposals in general,
the President may leave to the Judge
ment OF Congress whether it will be
practicable to reduce taxes. consid-
ering the present commitments upon
the treasury and any future burdens,
In the form of soldier bonus and 9TH
er legislation.
The President also is expected to
rely largely upon the opinion of Re-
publican leaders as to the feasibility
of pressing tax revision legislation
in the face of the status of the party
control of Congress.
Confident that Senate Democrats
will receive with the fullest possible
measure of sympathy the admins
tration's suggestion for tax reduc-
TONS was expressed today by SEN
ator Walsh. of Massachusetts. a
Democrat member of the Senate Fin
ance committee.
The Democratic party has always
stood for low taxes" said Senator
Walsh. and the congressional rec
ords of 1921 contain many evidences
Of the efforts Of the Democrats in
Congress to reduce various classes
of income taxes.
THE question is not a partisan
one. Let us get together with a de-
tcrmined, whole-hearted and non
partisan spirit to reduce downward
and sharply the tax burdens of the
American people-and, above all, let
US do it at once"