Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-03
.HARD|NGA winner,
SAYS J. D. WORKS
Ex-senator Outlines Reforms
He Expects Under Re-
publican President.

Senator Harding has received from
former Senator John d. Works long
letter which. after expressing con-
fidence that the republican nominee
will win the presidency, suggests a
number of executive reforms. Princi-
pal among these are drawing the line
sharply between the executive and
Legislative functions. In this connec-
ton he said:
"It would do my heart good to see
the Congress of the United States
throw off the shack1es of presidential
influence and dictation and become a
strong. courageous and independent
representative body, ready at all times
to serve the best interests of the peo-
pie. unmolested and unafraid."
Senator Harding has not yet had
time to write his views to Mr.. Works,
but says that he is heartily in accord
, with some of the suggestions made.
Substance of Letter.
Mr. Works letter was, in part, as
follows:
"In my judgment the future of the
republican party and whether or not
it shall be superseded by new one is
going to depend very largely upon the
manner of conducting this campaign
and your conduct of the office of Pres
ident of the United States if you are
elected. as l believe you will be.
"As President you will have the OPP
portunity. as l believe you have the
will. to render your party and the
country the greatest service in bring
ing about reforms of vital Importance.
To begin with you can restore this
great office to some of the respect of
the people that it has lost by declaring
In your acceptance of the nomination
that your address on that occasion
contains all that will be said by you in
the way of public discussion. and that
you will take no part, as a stump
speaker, in the campaign.
when you become President I hope
to see you take the stand and firmly
maintain 1T that you are the servant of
the whole people of all classes and of
all political faiths; that you are no
longer a politician and, especially,
that you are not the leader of any po-
litical party or the dictator over it.
"Vicious Custom Is Cited.
Again, I should greatly like to see
you break up the vicious custom, that
has almost become a law of politi-
flee for political services rendered,
the larger the contribution the larger
the office, and see that appointments,
so far as you can control them are
made for merit, good character. COM
potency and fitness for the particular
office.
Let me suggest also that if elected
you will be President only, whose
duty it is to execute the laws and
not a lawmaker, and that your duty,
SO far as legislation is concerned, is,
In the language of the Constitution,
to give to the Congress information
VI the state of the Union. and recon-
mend to their consideration such
measures as he shall judge necessary
and expedient.'
THE President should be limited to
one term of office. AS 1t is. much of
the time and energy of the President
and executive employees, and the ma
chinery of government, are devoted
to securing a second term. The White
House is made the headquarters of a
political party filled with scheming
and intrigue for political gain and
spoils of Office"