Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-12-05
The Presidents Message.

President Coolidge's annual message
to Congress is a final accounting IN
large measure of his stewardship Of
national affairs. Very properly he
speaks of the great developments which
have been made in recent years in
America, of the strides which have been
taken in reducing the national debt
and taxation, since the World War.
Democratic critics are inclined to speak
lightly or even sneeringly of these ac-
complishments. Their announcement
to the Congress In some Democratic
quarters is termed mere boasting. If
the boosting" emanated from the lips
or pen of Democratic President, how
different would be their song!
The country has reached high de-
gree of development and of prosperity,
and there Is not the slightest doubt
that great strides in those directions
have been made during the last eight
years Of Republican rule. The recent
presidential election would never have
gone as it did, had the people not been
content. on the whole, with conditions
in the country. But President Coolidge,
in his final annual message to the Con-
gress, was at pains to urge the country
and the Congress to continuance OF
the policy of economy in governmental
affairs for which he has fought ever
since he became Chief Executive. It
was this policy of economy, following
a period of extravagant spending, which
had run this country into a twenty
billion-dollar national debtor war and
national defense, 1t is true, but never
theless a debt brought about by ex-
penditures made at tremendous values
and prices. It was this sharp emphasis
placed by the President on the need
of a halt in spending that gave the
country confidence in him. He struck
note that cheered people which was
bearing a heavy burden Of taxation.
Now the President, in his message to
Congress, urges that this policy OF econ-
omy be not forgotten.
The Presidents recommendations for
legislation contain nothing new. With
the present Congress due to expire at
the end Of three months and his own
term of office coming to close at that
time, it would have been idle to suggest
a big program Of legislation. Properly
he leaves that to his successor and to
the Congress which has recently been
elected. President Coolidge urges farm
relief legislation in accordance with
the ideas which he has previously ex-
pressed. He asks for the passage OF the
naval construction bill, providing new
and needed cruisers to balance the Navy
and replace old vessels. He recommends
prompt ratification of the Kellogg null
tilateral treaty renouncing war. These
are his principal recommendations. lie
suggests that the "time clause" be elm
mated from the naval construction bill
the bill as it now stands for the laying
down of the fifteen new cruisers pro-
posed by July, 1881. This elimination
is suggested in accordance apparently
with the Presidents desire for econom-
ical spending and his warning against
unbalancing the budget. In some quar-
tiers the suggestion is hailed as an ef-
fort to give the country blue print"
cruisers instead of steel. However, Sen
ator Hale, chairman Of the naval af-
fairs committee and a strong Navy man,
takes the view that the elimination OF
this "tine clause" will have no par
ticular effect. The ships, Senator Hale
says, will be constructed in accordance
with the needs of the Navy and the ap-
preparations made by Congress.
A high note of optimism is sounded
in the Presidents message. 1t is Cool
idgesque in its clear statement and sound
common sense, tinged with a strong
sense OF moral obligation. While the
message makes no sensational or new
suggestions. it is sound public docu-
ment that will be approved by the
great majority of those who read it.