Comment by Democrats

The reception of the President's message to Congress was extraordinarily nonpartisan. The Republican comment was the usual hymn of praise, a little more unanimous than usual. The Democratic comment was surprisingly mild for the comment of an opposition party. The following opinions were all expressed by Democrats:

Senator Swanson: "I am especially gratified with what occurs in this message relating to adherence to the Permanent Court of International Justice. Its presentation is clear, forceful and most convincing."

Senator Reed of Missouri: "The President's argument on the World Court is at war with the facts. It is at best, a specimen of special pleading, and, I think, from premise to conclusion utterly unsound."

Senator Caraway: "Words."

Senator King: "Rather colorless."

Senator Fletcher: "Very strong document."

Senator Simmons: "I thought it was one of the strongest documents the President has sent us up to this time, and decidedly the most comprehensive. I do not regard all of his recommendations as altogether sound, and I view some of them as quite fallacious, but they are all clearly and strongly presented. His tax recommendations amount to little more than an endorsement of the plan of Secretary Mellon."

Representative Garner: "There may be something in the rumor that the Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Mellon, is going to resign, since the President approves the tax bill which differs in most respects from what was advocated by Mr. Mellon, and since we did not carry out Mr. Mellon's recommendations."

Representative Hull: "The old story."

Representative Crisp: "A splendid message."

Representative Connolly. "First-class platform for a third term."