Evening star., 1925-05-20
Politics at Large
BY n. O. MESSENGER.

very far apart as to desired accom-
plishments. There is this essential
difference, however, as to their respec-
tive conditions: The Republican party
finds itself in an unparalleled state OF
unison of effort and purpose while
the Democratic party is facing the ne
cessity of reorganization The Repub-
licans have a definite objective OF ac-
complishments without having to con-
slider party solidarity. The Repup-
leans can dismiss questions of can
for the next presidential elec-
tion. They have their knitting IN
hand and will apply themselves as
siduously to the securing OF further
tax reform and reducing the expenses
of the Government. They can afford
to let presidential condidacles develop
as they may.
The Democrats appear to nave as
their one big problem as TO candi-
dacies the elimination of both Gov.
Smith of New York and William u.
McAdoo of California from the field:
Both of these men are now regarded
as active aSpirantS for the preslden-
tial nomination in 1928. The bellef is
strong in high Democratic circles that
the party cannot afford anotner con
test for the nomination between these
two contestants without risk oil prine-
ing the religious question to the front
again with all it's direfui potentlaiities.
"A plague upon both. your houses ap-
pears to be their anathema upon these
two perennial candidates. Democratic
leaders can hardly busy themselves
with the big affairs Of party policy II
they must stop every once in awhiie
to beat out some incipient blaze OF
McAdoo or Smith activity which
threatens to interfere with their pres
ent main objective of preparing for
the congressional election in 1926 that
springs UP around their feet.
X
An interesting feature of the situa-
ton regarding tax reduction Is that
some of the Democratic statesmen are
now vying with the Republicans to
outdo the doers in the extent of tax re
duction. The Republican plan at pres
ent is to be content with reduction
of the maximum sUrtax to 20 per cent.
Democrats are now coming forward
with the proposition TO reduce the
surtaX to is per cent.
Strangely enough, this is being sug-
eeSted by some of the very men who
in the framing of the last revenue bill
grumbled against reduction OF the
maximum to 40 per cent. The Repub-
licans have dropped their policy OF
calling the next reduction the Mellon
plan" They do not attach any pa
ternity to their future propositions on
account of disfavor which met the
suggestion of the Mellon plan in the
past.
1t falls out. however, that the ad-
OF the Treasury Depart
ment and the finances of the Govern
ment by Secretary Mellon has ma
terially abated the opposition to him
He has taken into partner
ship thousands of investors in the
financing by the issuance
of popular.price Government certifi-
Gates, which are being absorbed by the
small investors of the country. They
are feeling an interest in Government
financing and are looking upon 1t
with different eyes, He is being gen.
orally recognized as one of the sound
est and ablest Secretaries OF the Treas
ury who have ever occupied that Office.
The distrust of him which was at first
held in some quarters on account of
his great personal wealth has dlSa D.
peared under the demonstration of his
whole-hearted work in be-
half of the welfare of the investing
and financial world viii Rogers. the
recently said. referring TO
Mr.. Melons great wealth. that when
Mellon goes into the Treasury he
feels as If he is going Summing" In
what is called high finance" he is
regarded with a species Of idolatry.
X
Like the Pied Piper. Secretary Mel
lon lately made an excursion into the
South, and with his magic flute of arg
ument lured Southern financiers to his
train. He pointed out to them that il
was equally, If not more, advanta-
EeouS to the commercial and industrial
interests of the South to have an in
fuX of general capital into their in
dustrieS than to depend solely upon
securing the floating of tax-eXempt
loans. Statesmen of the South quickly
seized the point. and there was an
of encouraging capital by lowering the
maximum of the surtaX.
Representative Oldfield of Arkansas
chairman of the congressional cam.
paign committee. happily is rapidly
recuperating from his recent opera.
ton and in a very short time will
resume active work upon the project
of his heart of stimulating the inter
est of Democrats in the next congress
sional elections. He is one of the
most Industrious and indefatigable
chairmen the committee has ever had
and he is in deadly earnest in his
contention that the first duty before
the party, to the temporary exclusion
of all other tasks. is to try to drive
a wedge into the Republican party by
taking over control of the House of
elections of 1926. He realizes that
it is a heavy task, but experiences OF
the past have shown that sit can
be done" and he is convinced that the
party now has an opportunity to re-
peat the achievements.
x 4 y y
The country seems to have taken
to heart President Coolidge's recently
expressed desire that the Nation take
its eyes off of Washington" and de
vote itself more to domestic affairs
and attending to it's own home knit.
ting" in the way of business and
industry. Reports from every section
show abatement of political activities
and less of looking to Washington
and the routine work of the Govern
ment.
New York State and City, however
continue TO occupy the political lime
light on account Of the approaching
mayoralty campaign and Gov. Smiths
contest with his political critics in the
conduct of his administration.
Weeks have dragged on since the
first outburst OF opposition TO Mayor
Hylan's proposed denomination for
the mayoralty without any clarifica
tion Of the situation in the city. The
axiom that 1t is hard to be somebody
with nobody still rules inexorable in
the case of Mayor Hylan. While some
of his own party and his own faction
Of Tammany Hall still profess to be.
lieve that his denomination by the
Democrats Of New York City is not
desirable, the Tammany organization
has been unable to pick out q candi.