Arizona republican., 1920-09-13
Some Impressions of Harding
BY SIMS ELY

b,,. aylfg been asked by ollita Q r,,,,, 70 tell ofNthe impressions for.r,1-le, s+ -lsliIoh concerning Sena+,,. IFar,IiI7sr fo ,. Suifed to me as worth while .,.,., e , tHsse impressions to inc read
 VI Ihe Arizona ReDnbficaD Cer- teililS there could not have hoo, t,,l+ta. 1,, ,oa - tues for anybody to learn ouicll- .s ana at first hand of and abouf 1bat asllea alileai fie fNd Die man than during the two ;,5,s, II winch l saw him and heard nri,,,tH . ess hls views in unrestrained pl!fate conversation with the visiting governors; ! also talked with a larpe time. ii iiiS tIs'l ne trip to Marion it may be well ~, ,o explain, came about in this way: at ne ofIlcers and executive committees v tHe League of the Southwest (of which Governor Campbell of Arizona iS presldenD and the Western States rrseciamanonf association (of which governor Davis Of Idaho is presidentl 4sil that an important step toward get .,hs the federal government to resume ,he construction of water storage and !rTlgatton works in the arid west (foI- towing the seven years of quietude uurlng the present administration had neeh 1aken when the two great parties Tn national convention had been led 10 go on record for the principle of reclamation. It was felt that an equal " important step would be taken if tne presidential nominees of the two parties should also come out unqual- iiiedIy for resumption of the reclama- ton policy which was so happily be- gun by President Roosevelt And I having had somewhat to do with devel- oplng the idea of a governors day. at Marion at which Senator Harding should have occasion to set forth his position on conservation and reclama- ton. Governor Campbell and Governor Davis wanted me to go along: hence it having happened that plain citizen was with the large party of govern ors and members of the two houses of congress who were addressed by the Republican candidate on Aug. 31.
 Readers of The Republican are aware. from the synopsis published at the time. that this speech was. in word ing and spirit. everything that the west could ask It will be widely circulated in pamphlet form and when thus avail- able it will disclose Ethat not even Roosevelt himself was a closer stu dent of western development: was more familiar with the necessity of federal aid in making the larger ir- rigation projects a success: was more forward looking and progressive in comprehending the need for a broad spirit Of national helpfulness to the tiller of the soil. or more sympathetic with the pioneers who go into the western spaces to make homes, than is SeHdIOf ItaTdinG.
 None of the published portraits of Warren Harding succeed in doing him Justice. They show. to be sure. that he is very tall (more than six feetp and stands straight; that he has large, well shaped head and hand some face They show the high fore head and deep set eyes of student and thinker, together with the high strong nose, the heavy jaw and square. promipent chin of fighter-duaIities that are not usually found in the same character. But no photograph can disclose the fine plays of expression which pass over his face. the kindly look which most of the time dis tinguishes the eyes Of deeD blue. the exuuisite sense of humor which is 9 part of his makeup. nor the soul of the man which frankly confronts you as be talks with you. You are soon convinced that you are listening to a man of rare soul whose dominant traits are sincerity and charity; a man of extraordinarily strong character. and withal. exceedingly human. On the intellectual side you are impressed with the orderly processes of his mind. combined with quick comDrehension. and his receptivity to new ideas; in this respect you are pleased to feel that you-are talking with one who