The New York herald., 1920-12-07

enormous as men are regarded intellecs-
ually. II is Philandcr c. Knox OF PENN
sylvanis.
Doubtless every person in the gai-
leries---srsi many of the Senators too
swung ssarir minds 70 one question as
the htt nun moved precisely across
the CHAMBER toward senator Harding.
Will he be tbs Secretary OF state? As
good a guess as any az matters stand,
Mr.. Harding making no.confidants up 70
date. not even among the Senators md
close personal friends who were his uav-
elling companions from Marion TO Texas
to Panama, to Jamaica, to Virginia, 10
washington. He approaches Mr.. Hard,
ing, who detachcs himself momentarily
from gieeful group to grasp M. Enoxs
hand and TO say five words which no.
body except Mr.. Knox hears.
Tyhe~eupon as smoothly. quietly. dain-
r;iy as he approached. Mr.. Knox returns
To his own seat and takes UP a conver-
sation with Hiram Johnson OF Califor-
Ma. Mr. johnson apparently has not
left his seat to shake hands with MT
Harding Probably this has no impor-
rant significance. since neither IS the
kind of man to shake out grudge ID
public Possibly the crowd around MT.
Harding is too much for the Californian
who bides his time. In all OF the happy
FURRY il is noticeable that the President
elect, one of the most considerate OF men,
takes speciai pains to seek out in the
crowd the Democratic Senator'S VINO
were beaten a month ago, some OF them
with shocking unexpectedness.
One 10 whom he gives special hand-
shake and special smile is George
Chamberlain of oregon, long regarded as
..,,e OF the most useful men in the body
and even mentioned now as possibiiity
for Secretary of War. Another IS SEN
afor smith OF Arizona. who was defeated
by Ralph Cameron in the devastating
upset All of the beaten men are aaru-
sngs friends and Democrats though they
be he cannot help sympathizlng with
them In their sore affliction-
Time races and noon has slid back
into uurecoverable time. Nice-President
Marshall very prim. is in his seat. He is
smiling. too. as If he were immensely
pleased about something or other Can u
possiblv be that Thomas r. Marshall Is
not as downcast as he should be over
tho result Of the Presider tial election!
one by one the Senators take their
seats. Senator Harding among them. IL
4. interesting 70 study his face for mo-
mont. THE whole business OF this recep-
ton and congratulation as he resumes
the seat which belongs to him is very
Arying. He Is absolutely one of the most
modest men Of earth. There is no pre-
tence or hunrbug about IT. He hesita-
tated ebcc- .scing the ordeal ara gave
way when Senatorial friends urged him
to come to Washington and make his ap-
pearance in the seat he occupied for six
Years. The expression Of his face is an
attractive mixture of delight over the
greeting he Is receiving and vexation at
being thrust willy nilly into the fierce
lj<hf that beats upon our American
throne IL is ten to one that he would
have preferred slipping into the cloak
room with dozen old cronies. lighting
a cigar and enjoying an old time, inti-
mate chat. But he is where he is. and~ss
making the best OF an experience that
comes to few men,
usDor without Precedent.
It wonderful experience. 1t Is his
toric. For the first time In the history
~ the United states a Senator comes
before his colleagues as the President
to-bc. Never before did a seated. serving
Senator enjoy this honor.
Senator Hsrdlng's seat IL between Sen
ator Nadsworth OF New York and Sena-
tor Albert u. Fail Of New Mexico, who
may be the next Secretary Of the In-
ierior. Nearby are Hale OF Maine and
New OF Indiana i'nf Harrison OF Mis-
sissippi enters the chamber as Mr.. Har-
the Cox campaign has no time to shake
hands with the victor as the Nice-Presi-
dents gavel Is rapping and the business
OF the final session OF the Sixty-sixth Con-
gress gets under way.
There is nothing much In sight. A
few bills are introduced. Swanson of
Virginia presents the credentials of Car
ter Glass, his coolleague. and Oscar Cn-
derwood OF Alabama does the same thing
for Thomas Hefiln, notifying the Vice.
President that Helm" who seems Tor
the moment in Underwood's mind to have
no other title, Is on the job and can
properly be- sworn. Swanson and Glass
and Underwood and Heflin march Sc
dately 20 the dais where the forrnality
IN attended 20. This makes less than q
t.ipple as the business Of inducting new
Senators II not especially exciting and
A. certainly not novel.
Conversation buzzes lightly. Mr..
Harding signals George Chamberlain,
who goes To Mr.. Hardings seat. finds
a place beside him and joins yfth him
IN nve minute conversation When
rhc Senate Sweeps out OF the wav the
NECESSARY matters that must mark tho
beginning OF the session Senator Lodge
arises standing perfectly silent for a
moment with that perceptible knack for
dramatic suspense which he knows &C
cieverty how 20 employ or course
everybody below aud aloft knows whats
cou1ing recognition OF the tact that a
bigger sized man than a Senator dts In