Evening star., 1924-05-21
PLATFORM FRAMING
sHARD JOB FOR G. 0. P.
Bonus, Tax Reduction and World
:. Court Issues Require Literary
Gymnast.
PROBLEMS ARE COMPLICATED
Democrats May Advocate Cash
a Option for Soldiers.
by DAVID LAWRENCE.

Picking the next Republican presi-
Dental pominee-Calvin Coolidge
has been a simple process of organi-
xation, but writing the Republican
pational platform is quite different
thing and may furnish the interesting
1ide of the Cleveland convention.
on Republican leaders began to realize
today that it will require a literary
kymnast to draft certain planks in
the national platform, particularly
that which relates to the soldier
Bonus. The Democrats will,of course,
boint with pride to their record in
sppp", 'he bonus and individual
Rcnu will enter the campaign
RnNiol be rewarded for their
6tes 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
- the veto by the President?
Action by Democrats.
3lThere are some leaders who think
there is no necessity for any platform
declaration since the bonus is an ac-
eemplished fact, and that general
Hublican party in aid of the soldiers
and sailors of the world war will be
xufflcient for campaign purposes
The Democrats, on the other hand,
Are likely to go on record in favor
of straight cash option feature,
Adoo is the candidate. as he thinks
the bill passed by Congress doesn't
80 far enough.
More disturbing, perhaps than the
h<Nr, hnt h ID tnnv Not
form shall say on the subject of the
world court. President Coolidge
and Secretary Hughes favor the ad
hercnce of the United States to the
world court created by the league
Or nations, but with reservations.
stating that America does not be-
come committed to any action of or
membership in the league itself. Sen
ator Lodge has proposed an alterna-
hASe scheme, which means a new con-
ference and an obolition of the court
which has already been accepted by
forty nations. Under the circum-
Srances. the President feels the pres
ept court offers the only pra acticable
course. But if no action is taken
by the Senate disposing of one of the
ether of these plans before the Re
publican convention in Cleveland, the
platform makers will have diff
cult time framing a plank that will
enable Mr.. Coolidge to keep on favor
AhS tnt present "oflu court.
Back Lodge Plan.
esAlready such organiZa tions as the
National Association of Manufac-
kurerS have gone on record a S against
the Coolidge plan and favoring the
lodge idea. The senior senator from
Massachusetts opposed the President
On the bonus and led the Republica n
Marty in its overthrow of the veto.
Conferences have begun with the
nope of persuading the Republican
MA jority leader to permit vote to
be taken without an effort tor commit
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 defections 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 two-thirds vote, it will
then be in order to seek an alterna-
tive plan and Mr. Coolidge would be
xblc to repeat in the Republican
platform what he said in his first ad-
xress to Congress, that he favors a
world court instead of "the" world
court. and that he is willing to ac-
cept whatever plan Will meet the
wishes of two-thirds of the Senate.
Tax Reduction Bill.
= Until Congress passes a tax reduc-
tor bill of some kind the dilemma
Af the President with respect to the
Writing of a platform on which he
San run will be unsolved. Mr.. Cool
5ige favored the Mellon plan. Con-