Evening star., 1925-12-27
BY T. RUSSELL YOUNG.

l'feS1dent COOldge has become more
aggressive and more assertive as his
regime in the White House progresses,
it is apparent to those in close touch
with him. Already he has assumed
he real leadership of his party, and
without any hlare of trumhets. and
with q complete absence of anything
bordering on bluster or big stick
methods he proposes to dominate his
party's activities.
This has been made all the palmer
since Congress assembled. The Presi-
dent is not Understanding the
strength of his position. No one
knows better than he just how strong
he is with the public AT this time.
He has reason to know that the coun-
try is behind him-that he is more
popular and stronger today than he
was when he rolled up a 1000 900
plurality November a year ago. His
party leaders are not blind to this
fact. Neither is Congress. And
President Coolidge now intends to
make the best of this happy situation.
Ulven New Confidence.
His undisputed strength with the
people, virtually without regard for
party atfiliatiOn, not only has been
pleasing to Mr.. Coolidge and satisfy
ing to whatever personal vanity he
may possess. but il has tended to give
him firmness and confidence that
are serving him we'll in carrying out
his major policies. especially i'll the
matter of the more important leSisla-
ton he is advocating. Although Con-
greSs convened only short time ago,
those Republican Senators and Rep
reSentatives who have shown evil
6ences of denying the President their
fullest support, already have heard
from the people al home. They also
have heard from the Presidents rec
oSniZed political lieurenants and
spokesman in Congress. Some of
those who have been Withholding their
whole hearted support OF who have
shown some inclination to become re-
Calcitrant. have received gentle re-
minders from these lieutenants that
there is a congressional election COM
ing along next Fall and that the
Presidents support isn't going to be
at all harmful when the time comes to
20 before the voters.
With this gradually accumulated
confidence in himself. the President.
in his customary quiet and simple
fashion, has taken over the reins of
party leadership. and according to the
views of many of his party. he has
World Court Issue.
President Coolidge has been insist
ent that this country adhere to the
World Court. There is not the slight
est doubt in the mind of any one at
this time about the outcome of this
resolution. which is pending in the
Senate. That it will pass the Senate
in The easiest sort of fashion is the
general belief.
When he formally accepts the invi-
tation of the League of Nations for
American participation in the prelimi-
nary arms limitation conference at
Geneva there will be no congressional
opposition. There may be a voice or
TWO raised against this step. bur con
Gressional approval will be forthcom.
ing in the form of a tremendous
ma jority.
The Senate very shortly will have
passed the tax reduction bill and in Il
fortnight it will probably be written
upon the statute books of the country
all Of which will add to the comfort
and self-confdence of Mr.. Coolidge.
He has been working for further tax
reduction ever since he has been in
the White House. He commenced paw
ing the way for the realization of this
by instituting the most rigid economy
in governmental expenditures.
Sees Relief in Tax Bill.
The President was highly pleased
with the tax bill as it left the House.
believing that it will correct substan-
TALLY the economic defects injected
into the revenue act of 1924 He
thinks it will provide sufficient reve-
nue. for the Government operation
and at the same time will so far to-
ward lifting the tax burden from the
millions of tax payers in this country.
He was happy to see the publicity fea-
ture of the revenue act abolished by
the House and hopes the Senate will
follow suit.
Assurances which he has received
caused the President to cast from his
mind all further concern regarding
this legislation. He has every reason
to feel that the Senate will pass the
bill with very few notifications, and
that the bill will reach him in ample
time to sign it before March u. all Of
which will give the taxpayers the full
benefit of tax reduction next year.
Friends OF the President attribute
much of his growing popularity
throughout the country to his con
sistent fight for governmental econ
nmy and tax reduction. The Presi-
dents insistence that foreign nations
nav the United States the money they
owe it. or at least give some formal
recognition of the Indebtedness and an
evidence of IN inclination to pay. also
has gone long way toward boominG
his stock with the people
French Settlement Expected.
While pointing out what his admin
istration has accomplished during the
past year. the President can call at
tention to the funding of the Italian
and the Belgian debts and the debts
of several of the smaller nations. He
also has every reason to know that
the French very shortly will make an
other effort to reach an agreement
with the American Debt Funding Com
mission regarding payment of its
debt and that this will he crowned
with success.
Besides all this the President has
the satisfaction of knowing that the
general economic condition of the
United States is good and sound. thai
prosperity in the very truest sense
of the word prevails. all Of which
materially contributes To the Cool
idge popularity.
A the new wear approaches Presi
dent Coolidge finds himself in very
happy and gratifying position.
There are no grave situations con-
fronting him When the tax hill and
the World Court issue have been sue
ceSsively disposed Of. there is nothing
on the horizon TO cause him any
Great amount Of concern. He is seek
ing no radical departure from his
fixed policies and he has reminded
Congress that the country does not
appear TO require any departure. lie
has urged moderation in legislation
as being the most likely means of
accomplishing permanent good and
bringing the best results for the coun-