The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-12-07
A Prize Executive.


/ ton is popular, why President Harding has
steadily grown in public estimation, and why
when the air is full OF criticism, none is aimed his
way, just tell them that he has that quality OF
picking the right for particular jobs and pre-
fers playing golf to hunting trouble Probably there
is no better test of executive than this ability to
frs, pick the right and then let them do the
"executving"
There is always a great temptation after giving
man job to do. to tell him how to do it; dictate
his methods and direct his efforts. Mr.. Harding
does not do this He alots the job then goes about
his own and pays attention to the other
fellows That is the way he gets time to go to the
links. If of the others gets up against it,"
needs advice, authority added powers, the
President may lose a stroke two he may not;
he will not lose many, and far there is record
OF any one who doing his job right being de-
MED what else he asked.
Just here be it remarked that judgment formed
on the links between brassie and other stick,
is apt to be heap cleaner, sounder and wiser than
il formed in the middle OF the mess of trying to
direct ten departments sixteen independent bureaus
and bunch of politicians all at once, to dictate
details and deny to everyone that self-expression
which is the dearest possession of every who
is worth his salt.
A clever analyst OF character once said that
Harding has too little" Maybe but Mr.. Harding
is making his too little" win and his administration
stand out in gain OF a good deal more than
per cent in confidence of the people in the first nine
months. Every month has been marked by results
and these tabulated in the released reports
OF things done, OF actual accomplishment by all
these departments and bureaus 1t is really re-
markable record, largely because OF an executive
with somewhat OF genius in selection of agents
and ability to then kt them alone to
go their way until all meet at the common
goal.
1t is not surprising that among these Col
Dawes's record tells that this government for the
first time in its near 40 years is betting bust
basis, is being operated a great business in
stitution with business results. Mr. Dawes has been
on the work but a few months to put in operation
a very complicated law. 1t has taken good team
play we'll as administrative ability OF high rank
but it has brought the that the law is suf
ficicnt, that it but needs application and enforce
mcnt to do what intended, and it has produced
the first complete budget by departments. There
is guess work. Congress now knows and
knows by complete department needs. Neither is
there room for guess work denial to the de-
crease in government expenditures. From 1920 to
and including the present budget estimates for
1929 this decrease is just under $2ooo,oooooo that
the taxpayers will not have to pay. This is
change from to peace basis, but it fulfills a
pledge. and it is useless belittle deny the ac-
complishment.
Another demonstration which comes into final
evidence is quite complete severance of executive
from legislative responsibility. The public has done
this OF its volition. The President has
asked it. But he is not held responsible for what,
in the popular mind is the slackuess nefficency
OF Congress. Indeed his administration is made to
h., r. l..
probably best that Congress be made responsible
for its omissions and commissions but it is
distinct reversal of 2o-year popular policy.
Roosevelt and Wilson added Congress to their
responsibilities and Taft made to take this same
responsibility. Now it is lifted from the Harding
shoulders without his much shaking thcm and
Congress is again separate branch OF the govern
ment, expected and required by popular mandate to
be as independent it may please of executive
mandate or interference, but to do its work eff
GENTLY, promptly and in workmanlike manner,
providing its own leadership.
VIM Mt p.v Ce.k7