Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-22
PRESIDENT AVOIDS DICTATORSHIP
ROLE ON COURT AND TAX ISSUES
Will Advise and Persuade Senators, But Shuns Or.
ders-Wants Members TO Take Responsibility
for Their Own Actions.

a position where they could discIedit
him and his administration, or where
they could place the blame upon him
II the time arrived when il was neces-
sary to make excuses.
No one knows any better than the
President what this proposed further
tax cut means to the American citi
zens. He knows that millions OF citi
qzens are expecting TO experience the
thrill of this reduction in their tax bill
this year, and for that reason he has
been prodding the expedition OF this
legisla ton. He contends there is no
good rea son why the Senate should not
pass this bill in time for the printing
OF the income tax and other tax bla nks
and instructions for the army Of tan
payers before March Is, when the first
installment of this year 8 tax falls due.
He Is well aware that this halt in the
Senate and that body's apparent in
ability to decide upon definite
course are causing delay that will i'm
peril this legislation's enactment in
time TO be Of any benefit 10 the tax
payers this year.
President Coolidge's daily mail gives
him a fairly good idea Of how the
country feels generally about the Sen
ate situation. Within the past week
or so there has been a great Increase
In the White House mail. The appeals
in the vast ma iority of these COM
munications have had to do with the
World Court and tax reduction.
1t was learned today that the Presi
dent now is receiving lar more letters
In opposition to American adherence
to the World Court than was the case
week or even few days ago. This
development, however. 10 not known
to have made any great impression
upon him. At least. he has not aiken
this increase in anti-Court letters 10
, indicate that the country is turning
against the court. There is no cyl
dence that the President is undergo
! ing any change OF heart regarding
the court one of his close friends
said today. with much emphasis. that
there is not the slightest likelihood
of anything Ike that happening. This
AUTHORITY disposed of the subject OF
| these increasing anticourt letters by
saving the increase was interesting
but indicative of nothing.
\eVsrth eieSS President Coolidge is
not in III. least unmindful OF the
watchful eve Of the public. He is
aware that his administration and the
course Of the Senate and House are
being followed with very critical eyes
This IS made evident BY the increase
in 'he White House mail.
The President knows, too. that this
Hood OF messages from the people OF
the Nation has been prompted by rhe
d@lay in the Senate ia handling the
World Court and the tan hill Nat
urally enough the Presidents fears
are aroused but not Sufficiently for
him 10 lose his composIre TO the ex-
tent of making what his int!mates are
pleased TO re'er 10 as the political
blunder OF openly intervening in the
Senate. thereby assuming the role of
dictator
The President has the satisfaction
oi ie"iing sure from the tone OF his
increased mail that he still has q
strong hold upon the publits conf
dence. The public may be becoming
anxious about the senate and the out
come OF the tax reduction and the
! World Court but il has. as yet given
no Indication to Mr.. Coolidge that he
Is losing i'll pOpuia "ity