Evening star., 1924-12-03
The PRESIDENTS Message.

President Coolidge today sends to Con-
greSS his message Ion the state of the
Union" d document notable for its
lrevity and directness of expression.
1t conveys no surprising statements,
makes no startling proposals, breaks
no new ground in recommendation. 1t
is survey of the condition of the
Quirements Of the Federal administra-
ton. 1t is a characteristic MESA ge,
simple in its terms, direct in it's opti-
mism.
Economy is the keynote OF this mes
sage. Already the President has given
expression to his desire for rigid cur
Tailment of expenditures, in his mes
sage accompanying the budget. He
now in his more inclusive communica-
tion urges that the policy of strict
economy should be continued in eff
feet. Perhaps the most important
work that this session of Congress
can do" he declares, lis TO continue
a policy Of economy and further re-
duce the cost Of Government, in order
that We may have a reduction of taxes
Tor the next fiscal year" While neces-
sary costs must be met, the people
must know that their Government is
placing upon them no unnecessary
burden
Further tax reduction is possible,
hut the President postpones his move
in that direction, saying, IF at the
close Of the present session the Con-
gress has kept within the budget il
will then be possible to have mod
crate amount Of tax reduction and all
the tax reform that the Congress may
wish for during the next fiscal year"
The President indicates the line OF re-
vision which he favors when he says
that it Is idle to expect continued
prosperity unless business can remain
free from excess profits taxation and
can be accorded a system of Surtaxes
at rates which have for their object
rot the punishment of success, or the
encouragement Of business, but the
production of the greatest amount OF
evenue from large incomes In other
words. the President favors tax re-
vision along scientific lines which will
encourage productive enterprise and
lessen the burden of rent
1t is intimated that the agricultural
conference may present its recon-
mendationS in time for their con
sideration at the present session. The
President indicates his own view of
the farmers urgent markets"
Almost the entire difficulty is on the
side of distribution. The matter is
complex, involving the entire eco
nomic system of the country.
Favoring special inquiry into the
proper method of disposing of or
utilizing the Government power prof.
ect at Muscle Shoals. the President
leaves this matter to Congress for
consideration and action. though indi-
eating that in his judgment the field
is better suited to private enterprise
than to Government operation.
The need of further legislation ex-
pediting the consolidation of the rail
ways into larger systems is stressed
in one of the most impressive por-
tions of the message. In the matter
Of railroad wages the President indi-
Gates his belief that amendment of the
law can he helpfully made, which,
while retaining the practice of sys-
temauc collective bargaining with
Cancellation and voluntary arbitration
Of differences, could also provide sim
plicity in relations and more direct
local responsibility of employees and
managers. But such legislation will
rlot meet the requirements of the situ-
t!tfon." says the President, "unless it
recognizes the principle that the pub
JIG has right to the uninterrupted
service of transportation"
One way TO save money, the Presi-
dent advises Congress, would be to
sssass the pending bill for the reorganf-
Zation of the various departments.
This is a self-evident proposition, and
she passage of the measure now be-
'fore the houses, in some form, should
follow as a means of economy and
: greater efficiency of administration.
Foreign Relations and "Interna-
tional Court" Disarmament Confer
ence" and Outlaw of War" the Presi.
r. dent writes a series of statements
which constitute the foreign policy
s.of his administration. 1t may be thus
summed: An adequate military and
naval defense without competitive
armament, with full understand
Sag by all other nations that the main
tsnance of efficiency does not convey
shy hostile intent; general desire for
the promotion of peace throughout the
world, but a definite indisposition on
the part of the country to become a
member Of the League of Nations or
to assume the obligations imposed by
its covenant; establishment of an in
ternation1 court before which the
JEs+A1 States could go voluntarily,
but to which it could not be sum-
moned; awaiting action by other gov.
ernments for European conference
on arms limitation, an indisposition to
participate in a manner to involve
commitments opposed to the freedom
of action this country desires to main
tain unimpaired with respect to pure
~ domestic policies; sympathetic in
terest In the movement under way In
various countries for the outlawing OF
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