Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-29
Legislators Expected to Defy
Mr.. Coolidge on Four
Major Proposals.
WHITE HOUSE POWER
OF VETO IS THREAT
Coming Political Campaign Places
Unusual Aspect on Struggle.
Tariff Drive Looms.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

President Coolidge and Congress are
rapidly nearing a bitter war over legis-
lation.
Present indications are that Congress.
unless 1t experiences a change of heart,
will defy the President of four major
legislative proposals, all OF which are
due for consideration at the present
session. They are merchant marine. tax
reduction, food control and farm relief.
The Republican Progressives and the
Democrats. who in alliance recently put
through the McMaster resolution.
favoring reduction of tariff schedules,
is about to launch an attack on the
present protective tariff law from a
new direction. 1t was predicted by one
of the Progressives yesterday that a
tariff bill would be offered as an
amendment to the tax reduction bill.
passed by the House, which is to come
before the Senate in March.
Hits Tariff Tinkering.
The President has stood against any
tinkering with the tariff at present.
The Progressives and the Democrats
constitute a majority OF the Senate.
and 1t is easy TO see that any such an
amendment could be added to the bill.
In the House. however. the Republican
majority Is working majority. and
the fate of a tariff amendment origi-
mating in the Senate Is doubtful. to
say the least The House does not look
with favor upon the origination OF
such legislation In the Senate. Indeed.
1t would be in order only because the
House opened the door by the passage
OF q revenue bill.
Some OF the Republicans on Capitol
Hill are saying that II is a case OF the
King Is dead, long live the King" No
one knows who the next Chief Execu-
tive is to be. but the members OF the
Senate and House have generally
reached the conclusion that President
Coolidge will not be drafted.
That being the case, a battle Is looked
for between the executive and legisla-
tive branches OF the Government. SIM
liar to that between Roosevelt and Con-
greSs when II was known he was going
out OF once. and later between Wilson
and Congress under like circumstances.
StiIl Has Veto Power.
Inc LEGISLATORS WHO are LAkulg tuc
bit In their teeth may have overlooked
the fact. however. that President Cool
idge still has a great power. the veto
power They may have overlooked the
fact that he Is In a far more independ-
ent position than some OF them, since
he does not have to run for ONCE and
they do. The urge for legislation ON
important problems is strong out In the
country.
Members OF Congress. particularly
Republicans, are anxious 70 60 10 their
constituents with constructive accom-
plishments behind them. This has al
ready made itself manifest In connec-
ton with farm relief legislation. Some
OF the proponents OF the McNary-
Haugen equalization fee bill have an
nounced they are willing TO take the
bill without the equalization rather
than have the measure vetoed and have
no legislation at all.
The President has made 10 definite
statement that he Will veto any bill
But 1t Is generally believed that he
>would again veto the McNary- Haugen
bill IL 1t contained the equalization fec
In discussing the Jones mercant
marine BILL the President has said he
does not favor It's passage. This is the
same language which he used with re-
gard 10 the soldier bonus bill In 1924
and he later vetoed the bill
The Senate probably will vote on the
merchant marine bill early this week,
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