Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-31

Will there be a tax reduction on
the eve of the 1923 presidential cam.
paign, or will special appropriations
for flood relief and control, for farm
relief and for increased Navy ex-
penditures wipe out any possibility OF
surplus for the next fiscal year?
Discussion of this question continues
in more or less academic fashion,
| based, as it necessarily is, largely on
speculation on just how the situation
will shape up at the next session Of
Congress.
The recent visit of Gen. Lord,
director of the budget, to the Sum-
mer White House has been followed
by expressions of widely divergent
views as to the feasibility of further
reducing Federal taxes at the next ses-
sion of Congress-" records the New
York World independently, which sees
the President faced with "a hard
struggle in order to keep the budget
in equilibrium" since, ''as 1928 is an
election year, it is not going to be an
easy task to hold Congress in check,
either ON the matter of appropriations
or of tax reduction"
In its comment, the Great Falls
Tribune tDemocratic) says: 1T now
appears that it is no longer a question
Of how the Federal Government will
reduce taxes next year, but whether
it will be able to do anything at all
in that direction. This will be disap-
pointing to those who have believed
the Republican party possessed some
kind of hocus-pocus by which it could
keep cutting the costs of Government
until all Federal taxes would be
removed"
In this matter Of tax reduction, OBJ
serves the New York Times dnde-
PENDENT 1.-The President contents him.
sell with placing the responsibility
upon Congress. If it chooses to keep
down appropriations, there can be
reduction in the tax levies. If it does
not, there cannot be-" The Times
considers that President Coolidge has
made a perfectly correct observation
when he says that Congress has
disposition to spend money!
y +
The Des Moines Tribune-C Capital
independent Republican, says RE
auctions look rosy on paper" but
appropriations that "are going to be
fought for give the prospect another
appearance.
AS to the congressional tendency'I
to spend. the Morgantown New Do
minion independent Democratic) de-
clares that President Coolidge should
he reminded that instead of ex-
ceeding budget. estimates, Congress
has actually appropriated $150.000,000
less than recommended by the
Budget Bureau since he became
President, and for whatever economy
of expenditure there is any credit, it
is due to Congress. which has actual |
ly required the departments TO get
along with $150000,000 less money
than Mr. Coolidge asked for them"
But can this economy continue?
The Portland Oregonian independent |
Republican, thinks not, and suggests: |
THE Government Is in the position of !
a man who has postponed painting his |
house until the limit has been reached; |
also of a man whose business will |
suffer if he does not make consider
able Improvement in his plant. II |!
must go ahead, for the only alterna-
tive is to go back" The Ashevilie |!
Times independent Democratic) also |
sees extras for the next session to |
consider" and concludes that this |
prospect of unexpected necessities in |
legislation may be fatal to next years !
widely advertised tax reduction"
Some editors continue to hope that |
ii there il surplus. 1t will be APP
piled to the reduction of the public /
debt The Duluth Herald independent (
Republican, thinks the proposed Fed
eral tax reduction win not be 4sunduly
popular until the Federal debt has
been so reduced that 1t is no iongerI
= burden. Affecting ID abroad IN the |.
land that au3H<fi0us politicians should
note. adds the HeraI1s s.lk a La