Evening star., 1920-02-14
CAPITOL COMMENT
UPH0LDS LANSING
Many Believe Presidents At
titude Is Best Proof of
His Condition.

Senator's who would discuss today
the controversy between the Presi-
dent and Secretary Lansing took the
view that the President had come off
second best in the exchange of let
ters. Not only did they express the
view that the attitude of the Presi-
dent was too autocratic, in regard to
the matter of meetings of the cab
inee, but they expressed the opinion
that the correspondence showed the
President had been more i'll than
hitherto believed.
|. Senator Norris of Nebraska, repub-
lican, said:
The correspondence between Secre-
tary Lansing and the President
demonstrates two things-frst, the
President was incapacitated, and it
was necessary for somebody to look
after the government: second. that
the mental expert that has been en-
ployed at the White House has been
discharged too soon"
Slow TO Comment.
Democratic senators were slow to
comment for publication on the Lam
sing incident. They declined for the
most part to be quoted, but they ex-
pressed great regret at the tone OF
the Presidents letter. "Astoundipg,' -
was the comment of one democrat
Senator Sherman of Illinois. repub-
lican, said: 1T is the logical result
of events of the last year. Secretary
Lansing attempted to perform a need
ed public service. Executive matters
were drifting without executive heads
The Presidents unfortunate illness
disabled him from assembling his
cabinet officers. 1t was not breach OF
duty to bring them together to decide
on urgent matters. This is the first
time that the President has mentioned
the Constitution since he has been in
Office that l know Of
Senator New of Indiana said: "The
tone of the Presidents letter shows
that the President only wants another
puppet in the cabinet"
Senator Kirby of Arkansas: This
is one time 1 keep very quiet"
Senator Curtis of Kansas: This is
the best evidence we have had of the
Presidents real physical condition"
Considers Resignation Unfortunate.
Senator Gronna of North Dakota.
republican,: Il have always regarded
Secretary Lansing as high class
man. and 1 consider his resignation
as unfortunate"
Senator Ashurst of Arizona. demo-
| crat: Speaking of designations. l was
once asked what I thought of capital
, punishment. and I replied There were
not enough men hanged"
Senator Moses of New Hampshire,
republican: "'Haec fabula docet.' that
the school master. though not abroad
again. is at least able to grasp the
pen and WELD the birch once more"
Senator McNary of Oregon, republi-
can: II am surprised that Secretary
Lansing did not resign year ago
when the President took him abroad
and practically threw him overheard"
too irlE of
publican. said: The soundness of the
| Presidents judgment in signing the
treaty and in seeking to coerce the
Senate and the people to accept may
now be measured by the judgment
he exercised in the humiliation and
dismissal of Mr.. Lansing"
Rexarded as "Great Wrong"
Chairman Porter of the foreign af-
| fairs committee OF the House. COM
menting today on Secretary Lansing s
| resignation. said:
II have been a member of the COM
| mittee on foreign affairs for many
years and, therefore, in intimate touch
with the functionng or the Depart
| ment of State. Since ! have become
chairman of this committee. about one
year ago my relations with Mr.. Lam
! sing have been of the most confiden-
| tial nature. 1 regard him an ex-
! tremely capable Secretary and his re-
way is great wrong. both to him
! self and to the nation, especially at
this critical time.
There is nothing in the Constitu-
tion which prohibits members of the
Presidents cabinet from meetir and
discussing any departmental matters.
If we accept the Presidents construc-
| ton of the Constitution it would be a
violation thereof for two of the Sec
retaries to hold conference in the
absence of the President. In view of
the fact that the President has over
! looked that all treaties must be ne
gotiated by and with the consent of
| the Senate. l am not inclined to ac-
cept this new Interpretation of or
ganic law.
Mr. Lansing has faithfully served
Mr.. Wilson during both of his terms
| as President, Ave years of which have
been as Secretary of state, and, in
due consideration for the rights of
Mr.. Lansing. l think the President
should have asked for his resignation
on the ground that they did not agree
on the policies to be pursued by the
IConfinIied on PpRe q Column n q \