, 1925-02-25

Copyright, l925, Consoiidateu lIesS
Association
WASHINGTON. Feb. 25.-Noth-
lnE has been put before President
Coolidge quite so embarrassing and
awkward to handle as the bill which
provides an Increase In salnry for
members Of his cabinet and members
o, the senate and house.
The cabinet secretaries all say
they didn't ask for It and didn't
want It. Mr.. Coolidge feels that the
increase for members OF congress
can be justified on many grounds
but he has not yet made up his
mind that he would be doing the
right thing in approving the step
Hundreds of government employees
are being thrown out Of work as n
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 u~ndcrpaid are not sure
OF their proposed Increase. There's
a ten million dollar disqualification
hill and a six million dollar bill for
reforms in the veterans bureau, be-
sides a number OF items that didn't
come within the original budget,
Nicholas Longworth, Republican
leader of the house. Is reported as
saving that II these bills are passed
there will be little criticism OF con.
rress by voting itself an increase in
-z NNaNEnf nf
Indiana, is reported as having said
the president would not approve or
the item. but accept the
Legislative appropriation bill as pass
ed.
Mr.. Coolidge. however. Is affected
because his own cabinet
are to have an increase in pay, ac-
cordirs to the bill that now has
passed both the senate and house
without a roll call vote. Within his
cabinet Of ten are at least eight men
OF wealth. some of them being more
than millionairos. Secretary Mellon
for instance, is n OF the richest
men in the world.
The members OF congress who en-
Einoe-ed tho move. did not consult
cabinet members but felt they would
II the latter on the same footing
80 as 10 avoid criticism. Instead
Mr.. Coolidge would have felt less
embarrassed II they had omitted
members OF the cabinet.
Anyhow, there are friends OF the
president who think his whole econ
omy program Will be endangered
IL he signs the legislative a%ppropria'
ton bill. He can not veto n Item
in 1t, but must accept the whole
or reject it and the measure carries
provisions for practically all the
legislative departments. II MI. Cool.
idgo did veto II, congress would be
compelled to re.rass Il instantly or
else n resolution could be adopted
to continue existing appropriations
for another six months or more TIL
congress could -ecoavenc.
President Coolidge has one avenue
OF escape without embarrassment 10
hun. II congress should pass some
of the pending inls o included in
the budget there will be no funds
to pay the Increase In salary. He has
from time 10 time vetoed bits tr
the ground that no funds were avail
able even though he may have com
inended the rurpcst. He saii the
postal employees needed an Increase
in pay but that the revenue had not
heen provided. Congress as yet
has not said how the money shall be
raised to pay the increases.
Senator Borah of Idaho and sew
- -TH-H ---at..a
senators. including Senator Norris
Of Nebraska. who Is said to be
without any other income except
his salary. are planning TO force n
record vote. As 1t stands now. some
members OF congress might disclaim
that they voted for the Increase be-
cause the vote was taken by a
ihow Of hands and not by a roll
call. An amendment may be pro.
posed glichtly different in language
hu; cutting mi the provision now
in the bill. A record vote would
lc forced.
II congress viii disentnnEle Itself
from the controversy. President
Coolidge will feel Immensely relley-
Cd. As It is, he does not know
whether public opinion will criticize
him severely or lightly for assent
Ing TO the increase IN the pay of
his cabinet and Of members OF con-
gress In the midst Of his drive for
economy.