Evening star., 1927-11-13


mend what he believes to be best for
all concerned.
Although he will have to treat
number of highly important and some
very delicate matters, his friends
point out that he should consider him.
self fortunate In that what he says
in his message can:.ot Se treated In
the light of politics. At least his words
should be accepted as coming from a
man who has no mind to .:gain be
elected President and whose desire
Is to retire to private life.
Preliminary TO the actual writing
Of his message. the President mas been
carefully studying the subjects he is
to treat. For weeks ne has been col.
lecting data and facts concerning the
Government. He started this work in
the Black Hills when he was on his
vaca ton. With Senator Smoot OF
Utah. chairman Of the Senate finance
committee. he discussed tax reduc.
ton. Since then. he has discussed the
subject with scores of others.
With Representative Tilson of Con.
necticut. Republican leader OF the
House. he discussed legislation in
general. It Is probable that he gave
more intensive study during his vaca.
ton and since to the subject Of legis-
lation for the relief Of the farmer
than to any other one subject. and 1t
Is expected that his recommendations
in this connection will be one Of the
outstanding features OF his message.
The late Gen. Leonard Wood. gov
ernor general of the Philippines, ad.
vised him at length regarding the ad-
ministration of Philippine affairs.
and since then he has listened to
many others on this subject. He has
listened to various schools of thought
regarding the future treatment OF the
railroads. the merchant marine, de-
velopment Of the natural resources,
the tariff. foreign relations. national
defense and development of aviation
and the promotion of business gen.
orally.
Gathers Opinions.
Although President Coolidge has an
uncanny talent for keeping his own
counsel, he has faculty for obtain
ing opinions from others. He IL q
firm believer In the principle OF hear.
ing what others have to say. he has
had many of what are described as
the better minds" visit him at the
White House and has listened to them.
and has closely questioned them. In
addition TO this, the President has had
before him exhaustive reports from
his various cabinet officers upon every
subject related to their respective de-
partments.
It is not the habit Of the President
to discuss publicly what he intends TO
Incorporate in his messages TO Con-
rress He has, however, informally
discussed a majority Of the subjects
he will treat and has admitted what
his stand viii be regarding some OF
these. ,u
For instance, he has said he Will
stand by the program OF tax reduc.
ton offered to the House ways ana
means committee by Secretary OF the
Treasury Mellon. He has let 1t be
known that he will issue a warning
to Congress that 1t will be dangerous
to slash taxes above the $225. .OO0.0oO
mark set by the head of the Treasury
He also will warn Congress TO aVolo
reckless appropriations. At the same
time he will give a reminder that II
there Is to be tax reduction and au
thoriZation Of a huge sum for M!S
slssippi flood control, and a liberal
expansion OF the Navy and a sizable
increase for the Army, the Nation
will face a deficit IL some curb Is moi
put to the making Of appropriations
not included in the budget Of esti
mates.
Urges Merchant Marine.
The indications are that he will ad
wise against tinkering with the tarifl
!! at this time He will advocate again
the voluntary consolidation Of rail
roads and the maintaining of an ade
quate merchant marine. II is believed
1t Is expected that the President
will have the greatest difficulty in
the mater of treating the subject of
farm relief legislation. This task Is
made all the more difficult because
there Is such a wide difference of
opinion among farm leaders and others