The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-12-04
COOLIDGE GAINS
SUPPORT IN
CONGRESS
Program for Legislation in
His Message Wins
| General Approval
By GEORGE R. HOLMES,
International News Service.

congressional reaction to PreSi-
dent Coolidge's annual message
has been, on the whole, very
favorable. Inquiry today among
the Democrats, the Progressive
Insurgents and the various ele-
1nents that comprise the Republi-
can party in this session, revealed
that at the moment, Mr.. Coolidge
enjoys a greater degree of sup
port than has yet fallen to his lot
rs President.
With respect to the main theme
OF ! his recommendations - con-
tinued governmental economy and
further tax reduction when pos
sible-there is almost an unanim-
ity Of opinion that Congress will
go along" with the President.
Waiting on Coolidge.
The La Toilette insurgents do
not approve of his recommends.
tion for repeating the publicity
clause affecting income taxes, nor
40 many Democrats and Republi-
cans. but until the Administration
makes some definite move toward
repeal they will do nothing.
They are content to let well
enough alone with respect to the
entire tax situation, and ii the Re.
publicans themselves do likewise, as
Mr. Coolidge advised them to do, it
seemed certain today there will be
no tax tinkering at this session.
There is some dissatisfaction on
the part of western members with
Ine PRESIDENTS general remarks
about the. agricultural situation
ana farmers relief legislation, but
" Is unlikely this dissatisfaction
W!u pass the stage Of general crit
There is general disposition to
wait. and see what the Coolidge
Agricultural Commission will bring
forth in its present investigation
before attempting any serious
legislation.
Notwithstanding the general
favor with which the Presidents
message was received, however,
there stood forth today two of his
recommendations that appeared in
Tor rejection by this session of
Congress.
One is his recommendation for
immediate adherence to the World
Court. The other is his recon-.
mendation that this Congress al.
tempt no tinkering with the rail-
road situation,
Arrayed Against Him
On the World Court issue. the
President finds 49, arrayed against
MIN some Of the most influential
leaders Of his own party-Boreh
OF Idaho, the new chairman Of
foreign relations; Pepper of Penn.
gylvania, who occasionally ''speaks''
FOR the Administration, and Wat
SON of Indiana, the new assistant
Republican leader Of the Senate.
to mention only few of them.
All are In favor Of "a" world
court entirely divorced from the
present League, but not "the"
world court as at present consti-
They control the Foreign Re.
lations Committee to such a de.
gree that they kept off the com.
mittee the Presidents principal
spokesman, Senator William M.
Butler of Massachusetts,, despite
his insistence that he be given a
place on it.
With respect to the railroad prob.
lem, the Democrats and Republican
insurgents Of this session are going
TO make a serious effort to tinker"
with the Esch. Cummins bill, despite
Mr.. Coolidge's advice.
They are sharpening their knives
Tor two sections Of the present law,
the Railway Labor Board and sec.
ton 15-A, the rate-making provision.
Insurgents Favor Repeal.
The Howell-Barkley bill, now
pending, takes care of the Railway
Labor Board by abolishing it and
setting up In its stead a sys.
tenn of regional boards to adjust
disputes between the carriers and
the men.
The La Toilette progressives, win
shortly take care Of section 15-A by
introducing a repeal bill.
This appeared today to be the
outstanding and probably the only
issue on which the Administrator
and opposition forces will clash in
the present session.
La Toilette and his lieutenants
realize, so do most Of the Demo.
cratic leaders, that any general pro-
gram Of opposition to Administra-
ton policies at this time would be
virtually futile because the life of
the session is only about ten actual
weeks, and little could be accom-
pliShed In that time.