The state herald., 1920-11-05

true to form, anyone in Marion prob.
ably will be able to wander into the
White House and get an invitation to
stay to dinner.
Mrs. Harding has what they call
"gimption" out here In Ohio. In her
youth she was'a skilled horsewoman,
| her father who was a wealthy bust.
ness man here, having owned fine
string of riding horses. Now she
takes most of her recreation in the
form of automobile riding. That is
one reason Hardings never travel on
the train II good roads are available
Most of the trips to and from Wash
ingtcn are by motor and all trips In
Ohio are by tnat method.
Harding played tennis years ago
but relies on golf for recreation now
Neither reads great deal but they
are fond of the theatre and especial
ly the more serious plays.
Harding has been primarily a news
paper publisher during his entire
manhood. although he has carried on
politics as side line most of the
time. Identified with the Ohio Repub-
lican machinery since he became 4
voter. Harding, however, has held
office only comparatively short
time. He was in the state senate
from 1899 to 1908, was lieutenant gov.
ernor the next two years, ran for gov.
ernor bat was defeated, and went to
the Senate in 1914. He rounds out
his first term as United States sena.
tor Mach next, just as he steps into
the White House.
Harding was political protege of
the late Senator Foraker of Ohio and
was allied with his faction for many
years. But by a strange twist OF
fate, Harding ran against Foraker for
the senatorial nomination in 1914 and
won, ending the public career of the
famous Ohio boss who had brought
him up in the political world.
Harding has reputation through.
out the country as being a second
Mckinley. He himself has often said
he saw little resemblance. yet close
friends OF both see parallel In their
tariff views and in their willingness
to be guided by advice. and In some
OF their mannerisms. Both have grave
conntenances and probably no one
ever slapped either on the back.
Under the Harding administration.
II Is likely that the great man" the
ory OF the president which has pre-.
vailed since Rooseyelt's dominating
personality reigned at the White
House. will disappear at least for the
time.
Those closest to Harding say he
does not consider himself a powerful
dominating figure In the sense that
President Wilson or Theodore Roose.
welt felt themselves. His big task In
the next four years. as he is said TO
see II. is that of harmonizing the best
brains OF the country and focusing
them on national problems. Hc feels
deeply. his friends say. that there is
n great CRISIS In world AFFAIRS which
will continue until the league Of ma
tions question is settled. In that cri.
sis. Harding expects to use the best
minds Of the country. as he puts II. In
an effort to work out solution which
the entire nation will approve He
does not step into the presidency with
the intention OF making his will Pre-.
vail In the nations Affairs beyond a
certain point. His conception Of the
presidency IL the reverse OF President
Wilson's, according to those who
know him best. Harding believes
that the Office Is largely an executive
one and that Congress. not the pres.
idcnt, IN the channel through which
public opinion should express itsc'..
II this analysis made by his close
friends Is correct. Harding. as prcsi.
dent, will be inclined to lay back and
pcrnI, Congress TO shape tho nations
policies. using his own powers only
to carry the expressed wishes OF Con.
greas into effect This II his theory,
bnt wholhor the difficulties OF praoti,
cal politics VIII permit him to carry
Il out, only timo can show.
Close observers predict rather
stormy four years for Harding. AZ
though he held his party together
through tho campaign. there IL the
possibility OF ritt within the organ.
lzntion over the league issue. II the
tariff issue II raised. there viii bc an
opportunity for more trouble. scna.
tor Harding. more than anyone else.
possibly. recognizes this situation and
h determined that hia big contribu'
ton 10 the present situation shalt be
an onuHi TO barihonige divergent