Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-05-24
COOLIDGE s STAND
ON BONUS WORRIES
PLATFORM WRITERS
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Especial Leased Wire to The Journal)
Copyright, 1924

HN|tlS'N
Copyright, 1924
WASHINGTON, May 22.-Picking
the next Republican presidential
nominee-Calvin Coolidge-has been
a simple process Of organization, but
writing the Republican national
platform is quite a different thing
and may furnish the interesting side
of the Cleveland convention.
Republican leaders began to re-
alize today that it will require a lit
erary gymnast to draft. certain
blanks in the national platform, par
ticularly that which relates to the
soldier bonus. The Democrats will,
of course, point with pride to their
record in support of the bonus, and
individual Republicans will enter the
campaign anxious to be rewarded for
their votes in congress, but how
about the nominee for president who
is to run on the Republican national
platform? He vetoed the bonus bill
and opposed the principle of the
thing. Can the Republican platform
uphold congress and at the same
time omit reference to the veto by
the president?
Democrats for Cash Option
There are some leaders who think
there is no necessity for any plat
form declaration, since the bonus is
an accomplished fact and that a gen
eral statement of the record of the
Republican party in aid of the SOL
diers and sailors Of the World war
will be sufficient for campaign pur-
poses. The Democrats, on the other
hand, are likely to go on record in
favor of a cash option feature, par
ticularly if William Gibbs McAdoo
is the candidate, as he thinks the
bill passed by congress doesn't so
far enough.
More disturbing, perhaps, than the
bonus, is what the Republican plat
form shall say on the subject of the
world court. President Coolidge and
Secretary Hughes favor the adher-
ence of the United States to the
world court created by the League
of Nations, but with reservations
stating that America does not be-
come committed to any action OF
or membership in the league itself
Senator Lodge has proposed an al
tentative scheme, which means
new conference and an abolition Of
the court which has already been ac-
cepted by forty nations. Under the
circumstances, the president feels
the present court offers the only
practicable course. But if no action
is taken by the senate disposing of
one or the other of these plans be-
fore the Republican convention in
Cleveland. the platform makers will
have difficult time framing plank
that will enable Mr.. Coolidge to keep
on favoring the present world court.
Hopes For Democratic Aid
Already such organizations as the
Association of Manufacturer have
gone on record as against the Cool
idge plan and favoring the Lodge
idea. The senior senator from Mass
achusetts opposed the president on
the bonus and led the Republican
party in its overthrow of the veto.
Conferences have begun with the
hope of persuading the Republican
majority leader to permit vote to
be taken without an effort to COM
NIT the Republicans to a party stand
on the matter. In other words, Mr..
Coolidge hopes that if the proposal
can be voted on, it will have enough
Democratic support to overcome Re
publican OBJECTIONS and that even
if the proposal is defeated, it will
be easier for the makers of the plat
form. Should the Coolidge proposal
fail to get a tWo-thirds vote, it will
then be in order 10 seek an alterna-
tive plan and Mr.. Coolidge would be
able to repeat in the Republican plat
form what he said in his first address
TO congress, that he favors A world
court instead Of the" world court.
and that ne is willing to accept what
ever plan will meet the wishes Of
two thirds Of the senate.
Tax Reduction
Until congress passes a tax reduc-
ton bill Of some kind, the dilemma
of the president with respect to the
writing of 4 platform on which he
can run viii be unsolved. Mr.. Cool
idge favored the Mellon plan. Con
gress has rejected it. There are two
major features in the pending bill.
which probably viii be eliminated
publicity of income tax returns and
the graduated tax on undistributed
profits. With these out of the bill.
senate leaders are predicting that
Mr.. Coolidge will sign it. If he does,
the Republican platform can point
with pride TO the reduction accom-.
pl she'd and promise further cuts
next time.
All this indicates conclusively just
why the president is anxious 10 have
congress adjourn by June Z. The
insurgents and Democrats realize
the strategy. for it concerns them,
too. How can they attack the record
Of the present congress until the
two houses have actually ended their