Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-28
HARDING AND DEBS
TALK MAN TO MAN
Fx-Conyict Socialist and Presi-
dent Exchange Theories on
World Problems
ENTIRE. MEETING FRIENDLY


anJ Eugene V. Dcbs, convict So
ciaiist leader and, by President Hard :
ina's own action, man without a
country: ,.,,,.
4, tho white House. 1t was Monday
n,ornins, celebrated as Christmas. but
the President was on the job. A tall
man, smiling, entered the executive OF =
sccs. lie was dressed like what he
WAS. discharged convict, in shoddy.
nrison made clothes and prison made
,be office of Secretary Christian. and
then Christian bowed him into the inner
Office. where stood the President Of the
United States.
"The World is not permitted Ia
ouote directly either of the parties to
the conference. But the President said
that he had promised himself the priv
lere of meeting his guest and that he
was most happy to shake his hand. His
ruest replied that he was most pleased
fo be able TO look the President OF
Tho United States in the face and TO
sav TO him that he believed him to be
AS thoroughly honest and sincere as any
man could be. Then the President
asked Mr.. Debs to sit down. and to-
getber they discussed the ways of the
world
They Differ on Theories
"They agreed that the world was in
a troubled state, but the President said
4 he believed the way to meet the diff
cuties was to adopt the tranquility pt
Jesus Christ, to conciiatc. mediate,
to pursue the peaceful course.
THAT marked the point of disagree
ncnt. Mr.. Debs said Christ was not
tranquil when tranquility was Of no
avail. When Christ was fighting the
powers of wealth, Mr.. Dcbs said. nc
lashed the rich with scorpions of fire
and as Christ had suffered and died for
would. and he. Debs. could expect nc
greater reward in this world than Christ
had received.
'Mr. Dcbs then attempted 10 aC.
quaint the President with his point OF
view on economic and political affairs.
He told the President with the Candor
for which every one gives him credit
that be felt himself as close as q brother
TO Mr.. Harding, and that II was difficult
10 believe they could be so far apart IN
their honest convictions. But these
convictions were honest with each man.
and each was entitled to cherish them,
neither privileged to rob the other Of the
right of free expression.
Not Surprised by Hatred
"TTe was hated. said Mr.. Debs. and
he expected nothing more or less. liz
has been, was being. and would he
nisreprcsented before the world, and
men %ould call him vile names, not
because men were bad but because men
lid not know Him or did not know what
he knew, or did not react TO facts as he
reacted.
"Mr. Harding was affected. he
listened with complete attention and
there Is excellent reason TO believe tnut
tear fell from his eye. lie inter
ruptcd Mr.. Dcbs now and again ,o
tell him that he. the President. was
most mindful of the suffering Of hu =
man beings and that hc believed there
vas way being made toward world
without war. lie said frankly that he
VAS opposed to the idea Of war and thu;
he would do all in his power against il.
"On this point there was no dis
agreement as between the President and
he shoddily clad visitor. Mr.. Debs told
10 the idea of war and that he could not
conceive Of man who could espousc
war as method of progress.
Debs Vigorous at Sixty-si
THE President asked fully about the
health of his guest and he found a man
S1ty-six wears old with the vigor Of Il
youth. Dobs then said he had spent
.'hreo years with the OutcastS Of th,
earth. tho lowest men. convicts in 4
prison. lie said he had faith in theet
'ncn and that hc believed each Of then
'oSseSsed Of rich possibilities in favor.
able circumstances. lie made spccia
appeal to the rrcidcnt on ibis point
hut lie gave him "A picture OF men In
prison as he has seen them.
PRESIDENT Harding made no rcqupsD
" Debs. Dcbs made none of Mr.
Harding. No secrecy was imposed upoI
The guest lie was as free as any mar
10 speak the truth ms he saw it. IL
was told no ono expected him 10 sur
render any conviction he might have
Ite said he could not do so in any cir
rumstancos anyhow. aud he pctur~
n broader outlines his cunccption I"
ne struggle that mankind must makr
Jetorc justice has triumphcd and bofor,
humanity has been economical,
rmanclpntrd. lie urged love rs tho
'ooI Of progress. IIc damned conllc
10 scnseless.
The President said to him that i
no were going to make a statement III
must include reference TO the farncs!
" the Administration toward him
us hr. IcDS lost no time in lOnG
when he was met by the correspondent
outside He paid tribute to tho con
alteration arJ the cordiality Of thc
resident and Attorney Genera
paughcrty. and that was published
Mr.. Debs said he felt he was i'm
posing on the Presidents time.
Injustices Of Child Life
.. Mr.. Debs drew. picture of thu
struggle of the working class az he see!
z: He painted the injustices of chilt
I'ie among the poor, the boys and girl!
Who might be great and noble men anc
Women, but who were foreordained by
ne current economic system to flowcr
N ignorance and die in poverty. III
gave the President his gospel Of revou
non against all of this.
The President. throwing his arm,
above his head. said that no one knows
Who has not had the experience, wha
y, thing 1t is to be President OF tn,
nlted States. He meant that this wa
position in which n man was rot al
IndlVidual but the servant Of 100. 900.
W. individuals and the nerve center o
multiplicity of influences.
FINALLY. the President said TO hi
EHcSt that he wished to convey to Mr.
ycbS and to his wife in Terrc IInut
ne best greetings Of himself and Mrs
Harding, and Mr. DcbS replied with NJ
i extension of his own best greetings an,
a oohe OF his wife to both the Presidon
ana Mrs, Harding. Then he left tn
white House"
Indianapolis, Dec. 2S.--By A. r..
l-Eugenc V. debs, parolcd Socialis