Evening star., 1924-06-04
Politics at Large
BY N. O. MESSENGER

We'll. Republican President
signed the bill, didn't he %
That is what the Republicans are
expected to reply to the Democratic
claim that the Democrats deserve the
credit for enacting the tax reduction
bill The Republicans think that the
psychology is likely to work out a.
situation in their favor with the peo-
pie. The way they look at 1t is that
the voters will realize that they have
the reductions in their taxes, a bird
in hand, and will not bother them
selves over the details OF how it
was secured to the point of giving
the Democrats especial credit for
their part in forcing the reductions.
The Democratic national committee
takes the contrary view, however,
and is calculating to make q big
drive over the tax bill A current
statement by the Democratic national
committee says upon this subject:
Popular appraisal OF the new tax
bill has been followed by popular
approval and by general recognition
OF the fact that Democratic leader
ship in Congress is TO be credited
with the substantial relief which this
measure promises to millions of tax
payers. 1t supplantS two abort
proposals fathered by the Repu bIicans
tho Mellon plan, which President
Coolidge sponsored and urged and the
IIongworth proposal, which was a
forced Republican compromise TO
meet political e1igency
Tho Democratic TAX reduction bill
was approved in conference prac-
ticaIly as it left the House. Its es-
sential provisions are practically the
Garner Democratic) plan. The sur
tax rates and tho normal tax rates
are those adopted at the instance of
senator Simmons, Democrat, when il
was IN process of passage by the
senate 1t carries also a provision
for a horizontal reduction of IS per
cent IN the taxes, payable for 1928,
SO that its advan tages will be
reaped immediately by scores Of thou
sands Of taxpayers"
The national committees state
ment. going on to claim credit for
the new law, says:
Senator Simmons has been receiv-
ing congratulations from all parts
l.
strucive work in the making OF the
new bill. His ability as an economist
and as an authority on dscal Iegisla
tlon was respected even by the Re
publican leaders Of the Senate and
the acceptance of his proposals bv
the conferees. When certain n-n-
visions of tho bull were dropped in
conference, the measure still re-
named IN substance and in form
Simmons had shaped it
* x 4 4
1t is said by Democratic leaders in
Congress that it is their intention
to keep constantly before the voters
IN the coming campaign these claims
and make the enactment of the tax
reductions one of the leading issues.
along with their attacks on the tariff
law as a ''robber of the people for
the trusts"
With great glee the Democratic
national committee is quoting that
eminent Republican. DIR. Nicholas
Murray Butler, stand-pat protection
tst, as admitting that the farmers of
the west are blaming the tariff for
some OF their troubles This is what
the committee claims DR.. Butler said:
The farmer has found by expert
ence that a tariff on agricultural
products does him nc good, and thai
those tariff duties which help the
manufacturer increase the farmers
cost OF living and limit his capacity
TO sell abroad He is thinking very
seriously on these things and there
votes are counted in November"
X 4
AovlceS have been received in
Washington of a most authentic char
acter stating former Gov. Lowden Is
not a candidate for the Republican
Vice Presidential nomination, win not
be and, moreover. If drafted" Will
not accept the nomination
Inc statement Is so explicit and
from such a source as to forclose any
further suggestion of his being con-
sloered by the convention
4 X +
Charles B. Warren of Michtsan is
to be chairman OF the COMMITTEES on
resolutions OF tho Republican national
convention. which viii present the
platform This VIII give Michigan
two places in the organization of the
conven ton. with DR.. Marion LEROY
Burton of Michigan making the
nominating speech. It is understood
that Representative Madden of nil
nols VIII second the nomination Of
President Coolidge
\ y +
j. Bruce krener of Montana or
Senator Pittman Of Nevada Will be
named permanent chairman of the
Democratic national convention is
the gossip in political circles Both
are friendly TO William G.. McAdoo. II
is said. although Mr.. Kremer is not
unfriend1y to Gov. Smith.
New York supporters of Mr. Nc
Adoo claim that be will have the
backing OF thirty-two Of the fifty
four members of important commit :
tees of the .conventton-the commit
tees on permanent organization, on
tions-
These are questions expected to
arouse contention in the Democratic
national convention:
Proposed Endorsement of the Wilson
league OF nations plan
The wet or dry plan
Proposed abolition Of the two-thirds
rule.
There is enough dynamite in these
questions to make the convention a
bear pit, let alone the fight for the
nomination.
X X r r
The Democratic managers are look
ing forward to a fine time abusing