The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-02-14
FIND ANOTHER
CLUB TO WELD
Republican Senators Use the
Lansing Incident as Basis
of Bitter Criticism. H.

Washington, Feb. 14.-Q. 81
Rumors reported in some Arters
that Admiral Grayson, : presi-
dents physician, walked } the first
cabinet meeting held in s. absence
of the president and anded by
what authority the g.. ct had so
gathered, were chara zed by the
| admiral in categorfes fashion as
absurd and ridiculous" He said he
was present at that first meeting.
but only because he had been spe-
cifically invited to tell of the prog
gress of the presidents illness. He
resents that any such Interpretation
should be put upon his act.
At the capitol senator's and con-
gressmen privately discussed the in
cident almost to the exclusion of all
else, Many there were inclined
to take the position that if the presi-
dent felt that he and his secretary of
state could not agree on questions of
foreign policy the president was per-
fectly within his rights to sever Off
cial relations with him, but that the
severance might have been done less
bluntly.
Few members of the senate would
make any public expression on the
subject today, though Senator Nor
ris, republican, Nebraska, said in a
statement the secretarys resignation
showed that "the mental expert that
had been employed at me White
House had been discharged too
soon"
Throughout the treaty controversy
the tendency of the republicans has
been to eXculpate Mr.. Lansing from
any blame that may have attached
to peace negotiations, and when the
secretary appeared before the foreign
relations committee last summer
there was said to be a general under
standing among republican members
that he was not to be cross exam
ined or put in an embarrassing po-
sition over questions about which he
indicated that he was permitted by
the president to know nothing.
Congressman Stephen Porter, re-
publican, chairman of the house for
eign affairs committee, said there was
nothing in the Constitution prohibit
inG members of the cabinet meeting
and discussing any departmental
matters, and remarked that he was
mot inclined to accept this new and
novel Interpretation of organic law"
Senator Knox, republican, former
secretary OF state, said a secretary
Of state has no lower to take final
action. but it is his duty 10 get facts
and make recommendations.
THE exchange OF letters between
the president and Secretary Lansing
tells two things: First, the president
was incapacitatel and some one had
to look after the executive affairs;
second, the mental expert who was
in attendance at the White House
left too soon" commented Senator
Norris, of Nebraska.
Logical Results.
1T is the logical result of events OF
the last year, said Senator sherman,
of Illinois. Secretary Lansing at
tempted to perform needed public
service. Executive matters were drift
ing without executive head, The pres
idents unfortunate illness disabled him
from consulting his cabinet officers. IT
was not a breach of duty to bring
them together on urgent matters. This
is the first time that the president has
mentioned the constitution since he has
been in office.
THE tone of the presidents letter
shows that the president wants another
puppet in the cabinet" said Senator
New. of Indiana.
This is the best evidence we have
had of the presidents real physical
condition" declared Senator Curtis, OF
Kansas.
Senator Cronna said.
Il have always considered Secretary
Lansing "A high class man and con-
slider his resignation as unfortunate"
"HaeCfabula Dulcet-that the school
master, though not abroad again, Is at
least able to grasp the pen aud WELD
the birch once more" commented SEN
ator Moses, Of New Hampshire.
THE soundness Of the presidents
Judgment in signing the treaty and in
seeking to coerce the senate and the
people to accept it may now be meas
ured by the judgment he exercised I'm
the humiliation and dismissal of Mr.
Lansing" Senator Mccormick Of lili-
noiS. said.
ut was utterly ridiculous 10 think
that the members OF the presidents
cabinet cannot get together to discuss
affairs of the nation when the president
is laid up for FIVE months declared
Senator kelloGg, of Minnesota.
Senator Cummins. Of Iowa. republican
and president pro te moi the senate, sdlu
that it was absurd to entertain the idea
that the act of Secretary Lansing In
calling Of meetings Of the cabinet Is a
usurpation Of executive authority. Such
statement comes with poor grace, cs-
pcciaIly from President Wilson. who
hns not had noticeable regard in the
past for usurpatlons when he WAS do
ing the usurpinR
Represontatiyc Tinkham. Of Massa-
ChuscttS said.
THOSE whom the Gods would de-
gtroy. they hrFt make mad