Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-07
HARDlNC'S "MESSACE"

WHEN President elect Harding addressed
w the Senate Yesterday he did not an
nouncr in detail any of his policies. He was
not expected to do so. Yet what he did say
in his brief and dgnifed speech was sig.
niticnnt.
First in importance was his request that
the S"nat" and House join cordially in
making the closing three months Of tho
present administration productive. There
is so much to be done and there has been
so much delay in doing it that hc hrsought
the senators to end the delay. forget par
tisanship and utilize the time in the ''scr-
vice Of our common country
Mr.. Harding made this plea so simply
and with such evident belief in the i'm
Dortanr" of immediate consideration of
pressing problems that its force must have
impressed itself upon those who heard him.
He is evidently feeling the weight of the
responsibilities which he is soon to assume
and he also has faith in the desire of his col
leagues in Congress, whether they be of his
own party or Of the opposition, TO do their
best 10 serve their constituents.
His expression Of confidence in the Sen
ate was in refreshing contrast with much
of legislators 1t is fashionable to speak
sIightngly Of Congress and to denounre tn"
Senate as II body of men out of touch with
popular sentiment. Yet those who are not
irrcvocably committed to the proposition that
no living statesman can stand comparison
with II dead ono know that the Senate today
contains a group of men of far superior
trimming and ability to the average members
thirty or fifty or seventy five years ago.
Indeed there is no legislative body in any
country at the present time that Is its SUI
pcrior in ability and few that are its equal
II is we'll 10 remind ourselves of this oc-
casionally lest We hold our institutions in
too great contempt
Mr.. Iarding's references to the function
Of the Senate in the governmental scheme
were in good taste. 1t does certain things
in conjunction with the President. Its pre-
rogntivcs are as sacred as those of the
President. The President o-be announced
tbat while he intended to respect those pre-
rogutiycs he would be just as inSistent on
the recognition by the Senate of the pre-
ropativrs Of the President. lie IL the first
man elected TO the presidency sine" MCkln .
lev who has had Legislative experience III
Washington. lie is aware of the sensitive
ness Of Congress over its rights. He knows
how ~ deal with it through experience with
it's temper His plea that it might CO.
oreratr with him was made in all sincerity
And his assumption that tn" members OF
tho oprosition party would work with those
Of hi, own party in securing results wa'
bosrd on wide acQuaintanc" with th'
Democrats in both houses and with intimate
knowledge of the patriotic temper with which
tb.v apuronch the consideration OF public
questions. That there is nothing muShy III
Li, attitude was made evident when he said
tho+ while he could not promise agreement
in ol things with the opposition, when l.
sunctimcs insistcntly wrong, h" hoped t'
find common ground in the spirit of service"
1t was the speech of a broad minded, to'-
o+opt mou aware Of the natur" OF the duti"S
,yhich confront him and confident in the de
s,re Of all Americans to assist him in per
farming those duties. 1t was rrassuring Il
tbosc who voted for him last month and war
| ronted them in believing that he would gro"
in their esteem as the months pass ana a'
be adjusts himself 10 his new position.