Evening star., 1920-06-13
HARDING, BORN ON FARM,
BAITZED WAY TO FRONT
Making Success of Failing Newspaper
Played Big Part-Held First Politi-
cal Berth in z899


Foraker with mis- intentions.
1t is matter of interesting polltlcal
history that while he triumphed over
Foraker in very substantial piurait!' :
yet the heat of the campaign IN no
way marred: the splendid friendship
which existed between Harding and
Foraker-and which continued TO EXIST
as long as Foraker lived
Wins by Big Majority.
In the election he won over MS
democratic opponent by over 100000
votes.
A rather interesting narrative is re-
lated of Harding in connection with
his Introduction of Foraker at pallti-
cal rally in 1899 over at Bellefontaine'
| ONO. Harding, as chairman of the
meeting. presented Foraker, then Gov
! ernor OF Ohio, in a very spirited
! iten-mlnute speech. Seated just in front
OF the stage and looking up intently
at Harding was an old ground-in-the-
| lalth republican of Scotch Irish parent
age. After the meeting was over
the old chap. srasping Harding by the
J hand, wrunS 1T with genuine warmth
! eNcialming: Young man, if had your
S'it OF CAB l wouldn't be so shy about
| it,"
Always q Republican.
| One boast that Senator Harding makes
| Is that he has always been republican.
I IL was he who presented the name OF
resident Taft for denomination at the
oh,cago convention in 1912-the most
turbulent convention in the annals of
repubicanism. Four years ago he was
CHOSEN chairman of the republican ma
tlonal convention and delivered the key
note address. He presided over the con-
Vent1on with poise. showing himself an
able parliamentarian
Friend of Roosevelt.
The acquaintance Of Roosevelt and
| Harding was largely one of perfunctori-
ness prior to the republican national
convention of 1916. 1t was after the
convention. when Harding as chairman
OF the notification committee, by reason
or having presided as chairman of the ma
tional convention went with his commit
ee TO New York to officially notify Justice
Hughes of his nomination for President,
mat Roosevelt and Harding really be-
came acquainted. While they met occa-
sionally during the campaign, yet it was
not until after the election, resulting in
Hughes defeat, that the closer intimacy
arose.
Roosevelt, particularly during the pre-
war period. spent much of his time in
Washington during which he was pres
ent at many meetings called for the
purpose of discussing the kind of policy
t7at should be pursued by the repubn-
can members of the new Congress. Thus
meeting the republican senators gave
him the opportunity of applying the
plumb, bob and level to the Ohio sem
ator's craftsmanship, with the result
thai Roosevelt not only formed sincere
liking for Harding, but a profound con-
viction tor his capabilities as leader
So much was he impressed with
Harding,s ability and the respect
his colleagues entertained for his
views on public questions that it was
Harding to whom Roosevelt turned for
the drafting and Introduction of an
amendment to the Army reorganiZa-
ton bill, which measure provided for
selective service and made possible
the creation of the great American
Army overseas. The amendment,
known as the Roosevelt amendment to
the military bill for the enlargement
of the forces for the world war, au-
thor1zed the President to create not
more than two divisions of volunteers
for immediate service in France
The acquaintanceship. begun in fact
In 1915 between Roosevelt and Hard
ing, had rlpencd in the last year Of the
coloneIs life into a strong friendship.
Particularly during that last year it
was known by many Of the senator's
close friends that Roosevelt frequently
talked with Harding about the possi-
bilities of the latters candidacy for
President; yet Senator Harding is not
one who would consent to the making
of a posthumous claim to Roosevelt's
encouragement on that account.
Is a Forceful Speaker.
Senator Harding is forceful
speaker. His voice is mellow and has
remarkable carrying powers. He has
winning manner. which assures him
a hearing at all times In the world
n 10 h,,o
he always has been a conciliator: he
mas the ability to bring together op-
posing factions to marked degree.
He has been charged with being a
conserVative-lf that be crime. But
he is conservative with progressive
ideas. In the Senate he has lined up
with the party organization. He has
been member of many Of the inn
portant committees of that body. in
Guiding the foreign relations commit
tee, with which he sat during it's de-
liberations concerning the peace
treaty with Germany.
In 1891 Senator Harding married
Miss Florence Killing, daughter Of
Amos King. one of the leading busi-
ness men of Marion. The home life
of the Hardings has been most happy.
Both are simple and unaffected in
their associations and their tastes.
Golf Is His Hobby.
IoiI IS senator Hardlng'S partfc-
ular hobby. He also is great base
ball fan. and attends the game when.
ever possible.
He is great home man, and likes
nothing better than to sit at his own
hreside entertaining friends with the
help of Mrs. Harding. He takes great
pride in the fact that he has never
had any labor trouble at his news
paper plant.
Senator Harding is a big man
physically, robust, with an out-of-
iron gray: Gray eyes are set under
thick eyebrows. His face is broad
and smooth shaven. His mouth strong.
but kindly. His recreation he takes
in the open air as much as he can.
He is very fond of golf, and may fre-
quently be seen on the links at Chevy
Chase Club or the Washington Coun-
try Club. Another hobby is motor
ing, driving his own car whenever he
favorites with Senator Harding.
In his reading he selects most
often biographies, finding more en-
joyment in them than in any other
books. Alexander Hamilton is his ia
vorite character in history and he
has lectured on Hamilton many times
I'm a bug about Hamilton" he
puts it.
Has Business Interests,
Besides his newspaper, Senator
Harding has identified himself with
many other business enterprises. He
+, has been a booster" for new indus.
tries locating in Marion. Because Of
| his business sagacity he has been
made, at one time or another a mem
Der of the board of directors of most