Evening star., 1921-08-09
PRESIDENT BACK
MUCH REFRESHED
After Ten-Day Rest Mr..
Harding Faces Accumulation
of Pressing Matters.


greater part of the time being spent
in the cool of the White mountains of
New Hampshire. President and Mrs.
Harding returned to the White House
today. Both appeared in the best of
health and spirits when they alighted
from the presidential yacht May
flower this morning at the navy yard.
The yacht docked at 9:25 this morn
ing. nearly three hours ahead of the
time originally scheduled for its ar
rival. Commander Ralston Holmes of
the 'Mayfiower explained that good time
was made throughout the return trip
from Portland, Me-. and for that rea-
son they ran ahead of their schedule.
Although the air was cool and brisk
there were no heavy blows and the
ocean was SMOOTH all OF which con-
tr1buted greatly to the pleasure and
comfort OF the guests With the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Harding on the return
voyage We're Brig. Gen. Sawyer, the
Harding physician; Senator and Mrs.
New and the Presidents secretary. The
panied by the latter drove Immediately
to the White House from the wharf.
Sees Correspondents.
There was no engagement list for the
President today. it being his desire, in
making no appointments for audiences,
to devote his time to the accumulated
business and in comforting with mem
bers of his cabinet. Following IA long
session with the latter he saw the hum
dred df SO Washington newspaper cor
respondents.
! Each gave every evidence of the
benefits from the rest and change af-
forded by the trip, the longest the y
have taken since they came to the
White House last March. They both
expressed delight at getting back to
the capital and their anxiety to again
take. up their individual tasks.
Those which face the President are
numerous and difficult: The accumu-
lated business requires much study,
some Of it necessitating speedy action
Aside from the general accumulation
of what may be termed routine busi
ness. the chief executive is confronted
with problems of legislation. domeS-
tic affairs and matters bearing upon
international diplomacy. Several bills
are awaiting his signature and the
peace proclamation still awaits his
action. With all of this he has hum
dreds of letters and other papers deal
ing with patronage or asking for some
favor. Then there are the hundreds
of requests for expressions of one
kind or another and as many more
seeking enga gements for an audience.
Starts Work ImmediJtely.
He lost little time after returning
to the White House in getting at his
desk and jumping into the mass c.
papers and documents piled high on
his desk.
Regarding the various matters of
domestic diplomacy confronting the
President, the one which probably
calls for the greatest amount of gen.
eral interest at the moment is the ef-
fort to lift the nations tax burdens.
Many legislators and party leaders are
awaiting a word with him regarding
certain features of this problem. Con-
greSs is looking for some expression
from him. while individuals and
groups, too. are anxious to confer with
him regarding the lowering of taxes.
Handling of the revenue legisla tion
has reached a point at the Capitol
where leaders consider the executives
advice and leadership as vitally i'm
portant. 1t is apparent that some
members of both the Senate and the
House are considerably excited over
Secretary Melons ideas regarding
revenues and expenses. Also the
President has been advised of present
opposition on the part of certain Con-
gress leaders to the proposed taxes
on firSt-class postage. automobiles
bank checks and the like. as possible
means of reducing the general tax
burden.
Because of the revenue situation and
the complicated views regarding
economy and the reduction of the
governments operating expenses, some
party leaders are of the opinion that
1t will be necessary for the President
to lose no time in calling a confer
ence or a congressional "get-to-
gether'' dinner, at which these COM
plications and conflicts of ideas may
be, smoothed out and adjusted.