Evening star., 1925-12-08
The Presidents Message.

President Coolidge'S = annual message
TO Congress. transmitted to that podS
today. will be regarded by millions OF
Americans as basically sound and
sane A wholesome desire is expressed
throughout that the United States do
not abandon the principles OF govern
nent under which this Nation mas
grown TO happiness and prosperity
The independence Of the American
people. as the President sees it, rests
largely upon their willingness to ac-
Cept the resulting responsibilities.
Local self government is one of
cur most precious possessions. 1t Is
the greatest contributing factor to
the stability, strength. liberty and
progress Of the Nation" the President
says.
The program Of legislation recon-
mended by the President contains no
radical proposals. There is nothing
in the situation now confronting the
Nation that calls for radical treat
ment. The anthracite strike and the
threat Of a strike in the bituminous
coal fields. the largest cloud In the sky
1T present the President treats
sanely. asking for authority for the
Federal Government to deal with such
emergencies in accordance with the
report of the United States Coal Com
mission submitted to the last Con-
gress. The President suggests also
that the industry could serve the peo-
49, better il regional consultations
sna more freedom in the formation or
marketing associa tons. under the
cupervision Of the Department OF
commerce, were permitted. Such
pIan would brig with it more effec-
tive methods ot control for the indus
try, and also would give the Govern
ment degree of regulation that might
prove beneficial.
The Presidents treatment OF the
World Court issue must stand forth
particularly in discussions or MS
message. He leaves no slightest
doubt as to his belief that the United
States should Join in the court as II
now is constituted, and that no effort
should be made to overthrow the
structure already erected, so as TO
build a court patterned after Ameri-
can ideas alone. An international
court of justice must reflect the ideas
of all the nations, and at the same
time abiding by the principles of in.
ternational justice In the Presi-
dents opinion the World Court today
is independent, is non political and
worthy of support by the United
States. He sees this country yielding
10 jot of its independence of action
by adhering to the World Court. The
reserva tions proposed by him make
1t entirely clear that in entering the
court the United States does not in
tend to enter or to become involved
in the affairs Of the League Of Ma
tions.
Tax reduction and the prompt pay
ment of the public debt, policies to
which the administration has firmly
adhered are reiterated by the Presi-
dent. The folly of extending the pub
lie debt over d period of sixty-two
wears, instead Of seeking its liquida-
ton within a quarter of a century, is
made clear by the President, who
points out the excess billions of dol
lars which the taxpayers would be
compelled to pay IN interest over the
longer period. Paying money on bor-
hot {y,t
runs into the millions and billions
over long period of years, is not as
economical as paying off the principal
of a debt, providing the payments
can be made without Gripping the
debtor.