Evening star., 1925-02-24
EMBARRASSING TO COOLIDGE
President in Predicament. But
Way Is Open for Veto.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

-NotHlHS mas Deen put before PreSi-
dent Coolidge quite so embarrassing
and awkward to handle as the bill
which provides an increase in salaries
for members of his cabinet and mem
oerS or the Senate and House
The cabinet secretaries all say they
didn't ask for 1T and didn't want it.
Mr.. Coolidge feels that the increase
for members of Congress can be JUS
tifed on many grounds, but he has
not yet made up his mind that he
would be doing the right thing in ap-
proving the step.
Hundreds of Government employees
are being thrown out of work as a
result Of the Presidents economy
program. They are economizing
right and left in Washington. There
are several appropriations for worthy
causes which are in doubt. The postal
employees, who have been admittedly
underpaid, are not sure of their pro-
posed increase. There's a $4,000, 900
capitalization bill and a $4,000. 900
bill for reforms in the Veterans Bu-
reau, besides a number OF items that
did not come within the original budget
Nicholas Longworth, Republican
leader of the House, is represented
as saying that If these bills are
passed there will be little criticism
of Congress for voting itself an in
crease in pay. Senator James Wat
son of Indiana Is reported as having
said the President would not approve
or disapprove the item but accept
the legislative appropriation bill as
passed.
Most of Cabinet Wealthy.
Mr.. Coolidge, however, is affected
because his own cabinet members are
to have an increase in pay, accord
ing to the bill that now has passed
both the Senate and House without a
roll call. In his cabinet of 10 are at
least s men of wealth, some of them
being more than millionaires. Sec
retary Mellon, for instance, is one of
the richest men in the world.
The members of Congress who en-
gineered the move did not consult
cabinet members, but felt they would
put the latter on the same footing, so
as to avoid criticism. Instead, Mr..
Coolidge would have felt less en-
barrassed If they had omitted mem
bers of the cabinet
Anyhow, there are friends of the
President who think his whole econ
orny program will be endangered If
he signs the legislative appropriation
bill. He cannot veto one item in It,
but must accept the whole or reject
it, and the measure carries provisions
for practically all the legislative de-
partments. If Mr.. Coolidge did veto
1t Congress would be compelled to
repass 1t instantly, or else a resoIu-
tion could be adopted to continue ex-
listing appropriations for another six
months or more till Congress could
reconvene.
One Avenue Open.
President Coolidge has one avenue
of escape without embarrassment to
him. If Congress should pass some
of the pending bills not included in
the budget there will be no funds to
pay the increase in salary. He has
from time to time vetoed bills on the
ground that no funds were available.
even though he may have commended
the purpose. He said the postal en-
ployes needed an increase in pay, but
that the revenue had not been pro-
vided. Congress as yet has not said
how the money shall be raised to pay
the increases.
Senator Borah of idaho and several
of the so-called progressive Senator'S
including Senator Norris OF Nebras-
ka, who is said to be without any
other income except his salary, are
planning to force a record vote. AS 1t
stands now some members of Con-
gress might disclaim that they voted
for the increase because the vote was
taken by a show of hands and not by
roll call An amendment may be pro-
posed slightly different in language,
but cutting out the provision now in
the bill. A record vote would be
forced.
If Congress will disentangle itself
from the controversy, President Cool
idge will feel immensely relieved. AS
It is he doesn't know whether public
opinion will criticise him severely or
lightly for asserting to the increase
in the pay of his cabinet and of mem
bers of Congress in the midst of his
drive for economy.