Milford chronicle., 1924-12-05

the assurance OF q reasonable system Oh TAXA
ton there is every prospect of an era of pros
perity of unprecedented proportions. But" the
President stated, lit would be idle to expect any
= such results unless business can continue free
from excess profits taxation and be accorded a
system of surtaxes at rates which have for their
object not the punishment of success or the dis
couragement of business, but the production of
the greatest amount of revenue from large in
come. 1 am convinced that the larger incomes
of the country would actually yield more reve-
nue. to the Government if the basis of taxation
were scientifically revised downward. Moreover
the effect of the present method of this taxation
is to increase the cost of interest on productive
enterprise and to increase the burden of rent"
Dealing with the subject of agriculture, the
President informed Congress that he did not
approve of class favoritism, with one occupa-
tion striving to secure advantages over another"
He insisted that leach must proceed under open
opportunities and with fair prospect of econo-
mic equality. The Government can not success
fully insure prosperity or fix prices by legisla-
tive fat"
Mr.. Coolidge pointed out that mostly by his
own effort the farmer has decreased the cost
production" Emphasizing his opposition to
system of price-fxing or subsidies to agricul-
Lure Dy LQe government LuS 9TSSluSuL SdlQ LQdJ
the farmer has been brought to a parity with
the rest of the nation through normal and natur-
al application of economic laws He explained
to the Congress that the Agricultural Commits
sion which he assembled recently would have
some definite recommendations as to legislative
measures helpful to the farmers in time for
action at this session.
The recommendation was made that Congress
of Muscle Shoals properties to private interests.
Indirectly referring to Henry Ford's withdrawal
of bids, the President was inclined to believe
that no one of the interest parties had given f.
nal terms.
! The Chief Executive reiterated his views that !
the consolidation of railways was essential to
the development of transportation system. He
recommended that the consultations be carried
out with due regard to the public interest. The |
opinion was expressed that several changes
should be made relating to the merchant marine.
In proposing the reorganization of the Shipping !
Board, Mr. Coolidge said: "The immediate re-
quirement is to transfer into the Emergency
Fleet Corporation the whole responsibility of
operation of the feet and other property, leav-
ing to the Shipping Board solely the duty of de-
termining certain major policies which require
highly controversial Section % of the Merchant
Marine Act should be suspended until Congress
can reconsider the entire question that has been
developed since its enactment.
Modification of the Administrative features Of
the immigration law was urged upon Congress
for humanitarian reasons, the Presidents idea
being to render the law more humane for the
purpose of permitting those already here a
IN odr NJ
bers of their own families
Mr.. Coolidge suggested that "the national laws
governing the choice of members Of the Con-
gress should be extended to include appropriate
representation of the respective parties at the
ballot box and equality of representation on the
various registration boards, wherever they
exist"
Referring to reforms in the judiciary, the
Chief Executive recommended that provision be
made for the appointment of commission, to
consist of two or three members of the Federal
judiciary and as many members of the bar, to \
examine the present criminal code of procedure
and recommend to the Congress measures which
may reform and expedite court procedure in
the administration and enforcement of our
criminal laws" He also favored the establish
ment of a national police bureau which would
be helpful in the prevention and detection of I
crime.
OF matters relating to the Civil Service the
President urged that first second, and third
class postmasters, and without covering in the B
present membership the field force of prohobi-
lion enforcement, should be brought within the /
classified service by statute law" Quite pithily
The President remarked that whatever its de-
ects the merit system is certainly to be pre-
erred to the spOils system"
Though nobody expects the present Congress
o deal with the question, the President renew II
ID his demand for legislation covering reorgan-
zation of federal departments. N
Dealing with national defense and foreign af-
airs, the President indicated that he was not 8
cry much impressed with reports of the mag
itude of military equipment of other nations. q
Te feels that "any nation undertaking to main g
ain a military establishment with aggressive y
nd imperialistic designs will find itself severe m
handicapped in the economic development of 10
ne world. believe thoroughly in the Army and 81
avy, in adequate defense and preparation. But IN
am opposed to any policy of competition in q
uilding and maintaing land or sea arma- IL
ents." He sanctioned many Of the proposals ID
the American Legion regarding hospitaliza- W
on of the veterans of all wars. IN
AS to foreign relations, Mr.. Coolidge very sue 81