The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-12-24
HARDING SEEKS
TAFT'S ADVICE
President Elect and Former
4 President Discuss Proposed
International Court.

Marion. o., Dec. 24.--Presldent- elect
Harding turned to former President
Taft today for counsel on the world
peace problem and on practical details
OF organizing the next administration,
The conference was arranged at Mr.,
Hardlng's request and is understood Ia
have concerned particularly the pro-
posal for new international court, In
which the former president has been
Interested for many yenrs. Mr.. Taft
but has taken the attitude that some
different agency now must be organized
to stnhiflze world conditions. Another
subject on which the president elect
wanted information and advice was the
proposed reorganization OF the executive
branch OF the government. In the clos
ing days OF his administration, Mr.. Tnft
made study OF that problem and ap-
pointed an efficiency commission TO un-
dertake the work OF reorganization.
The coming of Mr., Taft revived specu-
lation about his possible appointment
to some high post under the coming adj
ministration. He has been mentioned
most frequently for place on the su-
preme court bench, but his name also
has been heard many times In cabinet
gossip.
GSPtVesfoHh VI FFftVubHiPs
Expressions Of warm friendship and
good win were exchanged when the
president that was and the president.
elect met on the Harding front porch
William II. Taft began his conference
with the president elect at the break.
fast table and continued II until COM
PEELED to take train for Cincinnati
where he will spend Christmas before
going abroad.
Mr.. Taft came, It Ia understood, "a
represent those who believe that certain
portions OF the machinery OF the league
OF nations rnay be utilized IN the new
Harding plan for q world association
Having passed through the trying pc.
chair which Senator Harding IL now
undergoing, DIR. Taft was able 20 view
the latter's position with complete un-
derstanding and to extend many helpful
suggestions.
While the international suItatlon was
exhaustiveiy dealt with, there In reason
70 believe that the make-up OF the cab
met and other questions also came In
for attention. The impending retire
ment of at least one member Of the
supreme court OF the United States has
led to wide discussion here Of the
possible appointment Of Mr.. Taft 10 n
vacancy on. the supreme bench. That
discussion has not brought forth any
official utterance. however.
II has become n problem to find space
for the, food Of Christmas gifts which
coptinue TO arrive for President elect
ana Mrs. Harding. sThe gifts range
from candy canes to fancy waistcoatz
and include hundreds OF unusually
beautiful and valuable remembrances
Deeply as the senator and Mrs. Hard
ing appreciate these tokens OF good will.
they have been almost embarrassed as
they. realize the imposslblIity OF reply
ing In kind.
PresIdent-eIeet Harding IL working
out a. practical solution OF the inter-
national problem which, while II may
not be wholly satisfactory 10 enthusi-
asts at either extreme, will satisfy
those who are anxious 10 make prog
ress and give America leadership to-
ward world peace, former President
william II. Taft declared today
He Is in an accommodating state OF
mind rs 10 details and even Important
provisions, MIR. Taft continued, ~ tho
definite objections he has always ex-
pressed 70 the methods and aims and
obligations of a political and military
character contained In the treaty and
the league are obviated IN the new
agreement"