The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-01-10
WASHINGTON LETTER

By WILLIAM DALEY
National Editorial Association
Special to Sank Centre Herald
d
Washington, Jan. 9.-One of the
most interesting revelations of the
week has been the recognition of
Calvin Coolidge as militant Presi-
dent. Quite unexpectedly, the Chief
Executive has thrown Congress
and political leaders into a Juror
by definitely assuming an aggressive
policy on legislative questions. He
has issued an ultimatum that has
throttled the hopes of small cliques
to make patchwork of the Admins
tration's tax revision plan. The
President believes that Congress will
take cognizance of his warning and
guard against tinkering with the tax
bill. In making known the fact that
he will not be inundated Mr.. Cool
idge has indicated his willingness to
stake his political existence on the
policies of his Administration.
The President is opposed to any
compromise which would change
the principles involved in the Mel
Ion tax program. He is of the opin-
ion that revision of rates and prin-
ciples as proposed in amendments
now pending would make the tax bill
worthless. The fact that the Presi-
dent will not bargain with group lead
ers in exchange for votes proved a
distinct surprise in many quarters. It
is not reasonable however, to expect
that Mr.. Coolidge's intrest in down
ward revision of taxes along the lines
suggested by Secretary Mellon is en-
tirely altruistic. His nomination and
reelection are in the balance and he
is playing ''good politics. The po-
sition taken by the President is by
no means an attack directed at the
Democratic minority, but rather a
notice to the followers of Senator La
Toilette that the Executive will not
accept their dictation.
The House committee on Ways
and Means is making little Roadway
in solving the dilemma regarding tax
reduction and the soldiers bonus.
Their action is evidently inspired by
pressure from their colleagues in the
House who are concerned over the
economic and political effects of the
proposed legislation. The committee
has deferred the study on tax revis-
ion until a decision is made regard
ing the feasibility Of a compensation
bill for service men at this time.
1t is apparent to the average citi-
zen that Congress has evinced little
interest in enacting helpful and nee
essary legislation. A recess of four
days was declared after Congress re-
convened for a few hours. It re-
mains for the important committees
Of the Senate and House to provide
. working program. Thousands of
bills have been dumped into the legis-
Iative hopper but not one really of
note has been reported from a COM
mittee. AS result of this procrasti-
nation, the two legislative bodies find
themselves with nothing to do. How
ever, they seem to have time to in
dulge in acrimonious, partisan
squabbles which are broadcasted over
the country with the net result that
the nation as a whole is somewhat
discouraged at the outlook for re-
lief measures.
In the Senate the principal COM
mittees have nothing of great import
ance before them at present. The
Foreign Relations committe is pre-
pairing to inquire into the Hughes
charges regarding the Russian Soviet
and their activities in this country.
The Military Affairs and the Post
Offices committees are considering
nominations submitted by the Pres
ident. 1t will be necessary for the
Senate to mark time for few weeks
as appropriations bills, which have
the right Of way on the calandar,
must originate in the House. None
of these important fiscal measures
have yet been submitted from the
House committee on Appropriations.
The so-called LaFollette blocs in
the Senate and House are on the
alert for measures which may be
presented to the House shortly by
Chairman Winslow Of the House
committee on Interstate Commerce,
who has been in consultation with
President Coolidge. The LaFollette
group is particularly interested in
legislation relating to railroads and
it is expected that Winslow will sub
NIT bills covering the ideas outlined
by Mr.. Coolidge in his recent mes
sage to Congress. Reports filed with
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion this week that 1872 class / rail-
roads earned at an annual rate Of re-
turn 4.68 per cent on their tentative
valuation during November.
Though Representative Treadway,