Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-12
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VIE

Watson, not Jim but DR.. Wat
son of Baker street, London@Sher-
lock Holmes might well ask, what
do YOU make Of this?-meaning the
breakup of the so-called Democratic
phalanx in the United States Senate
on the inherits nee tax vote. Such
split in the minority group has not
occurred in many a day. 1t anords
unehallengeab BILE proof of the complete
lack Of Democratic leadership in the
Senate Eighteen Democrats voted
for repeal of the inheritance tax and
10 voted against It. Even the solid
South bloc splintered into fragments.
Senators from Louisiana, Florida.
Georgia. Mississippi Alabama. Ten
ressee. North Carolina and South
Carolina pumped for abolition OF
estate duties. Senators from Virginia
Georgia and Texas voted with the Re
publican prosressives to retain the in
heritance tax. One Of the significant
opponents OF abolition was Senator
Carter Glass OF Virginia. former Sec
retary Of the Treasury and the &C
knowledsed best financial mind in Con
greSs.
The one biggest piece Of anthra cite
strike news yet unpublished is the text
Of the letter President Coolidge wrote
John l.. Lewis last Autumn when the
miners threatened general coal
strike, including the bituminous
fields. Just why the letter has never
been made public remains q secret as
black as anthracite itself. The
White House spokesman has just
suggested that the reason would bet
ter be sought from Mr.. Lewis. This
observer is authoritatively informed
=
prieties OF the case permit him to
spill the beans. The miners leader
is strongly Of opinion that If the let
Ter Is to be made public, 1t should
come from the White House. He does
not consider that he Is any more
silent regarding it than the PRESIDENT
IL. Meantime union quarters declare
that II and when the missive or mys-
tery is revealed. the theory that Cool
idse adopted his Boston police strike
manner-as has been publicly al
trmpd-wil be found to be wholly I'M
founded.
No presidential boom within CO.
temporary Washington memory mas
ira yelled ION high SO early in the
game as the Albert c. Richie cause
The Governor of Maryland Is nomi-
nallv merely a candidate for re-eiec.
ton to his present post. But FAR ana
wide-north. south. east and west-
there is anxiety to secure his pfesehce
at public functions. in order that peo-
pIe NAV look him over and near ms
views. His eligibility as presidential
timber is the object Of curiosity. from
our neishboring capital OF Annapohs
comes word that Gov. Ritchie ma
enough speaking invitations on ms
desk TO keep him busy from coast 10
coast for the next year. Mafyian no
good looking wet executive now mas
under considera ton an invitation 10
u dinner in Washington. where oppor-
tunitv would be provided for a truly
! national audience to place him under
| the political microscope.
| Senator David A. Reed. Repuoiicsn
| Of Pennsylva MIA, Is either the ahoihteo
| or self-appointed watchdog OF the
| Trea sury In the United states senate.
| The young jor OF the slim f1eio
Artillery, American Expedltlonary
! Forces, was study during the recent
attacks on the tax bill and the Alumni
| mum Co. Of America. When Norris
| of Nebrs ska and Couzens OF Michigan
we're blazing away at the iniQuities OF
all and sundry that bear the Mellon
| hallmark. Reed took UP his post bel
Iigerently within a few feet Of them.
| Facing them with the mien Of de.
Tending counsel ready to spring at the
throat of the prosecuting attorney
| the Pennsylvania stood guard over
an ammunition dump OF reference
hooks and docuY,,ente tram which TO
dr. rnfsY$a tSoa -eAft-AaoA TANao do