New-York tribune., 1921-03-06
Tackles Job Early, Takes
Up Big Questions as
Well as Receiving Greet
ings From Old Friends
Theater Ovation for
Executive and Wife
First Lady Visits Office of
Husband for a Chat;
Dog Received as a Gift

From, The Tribunes Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, March o.-It has
long been the theory of Warren G.
Harding that the affairs of the United
States were too large to be conducted
by one man. He eXpounded that doc
trne in The Marion Daily Star, in the
Senate and in the last campaign. In
the White House to-day President
Harding practced what he has preached.
There was a conference first with the
new Secretaries Of State, War and
the Navy. Mr.. Harding discussed with
Mr.. Hughes, Mr.. Weeks and Mr..
Denby the delicate situation con-
fronting the United States at Pan
ANA, which has been invaded by
Costa Rica. Within an hour, instead
Of merely diplomatic notes, the United
States cruiser Sacramento was on its
way southwark to the scene of hostili-
ties with broad instructions to protect
American lives and property.
When this had been done Senator
Henry Cabot Lodge, the majority lead
er, and his House conferee, Repre-
sentative Frank Mondell, came at the
Presidents invitation Their advice
was sought about the best date for con-
vening Congress in the extraordinary
session which Is to give the United
States the peace by declaration prom
ised in Mr.. Harding's speech accepting
the Republican nomination. Then, also
Mr.. Lodge was consulted about treaties
pending before the Senate.
Mr.. Harding discussed che coming
reorganization Of the Republican Ma.
tional Committee with Elmer Dover
of Takoma, Wash. Mr.. Dover formerly
was secretary of the committee anc
now is mentioned for chairman to sue
coed Will II. Hays.
Crowd About White House
The great iron gates stood wide oper
all day long, and steady stream O.
people entered and left the premise:
that have been closed TO the publi,
since the United States entered tn.
war against Germany. Distinguished
citizens in top hats, humber coloree
folks and even red Indians came call
ing at the home Of Americas frs
citizen.
Long ago. when ne was devoting al
MS energy to the little newspapel
N.pon, which he founded his career, Mr.
Harding decided that all work and NJ
play makes Jack q dull boy. SO to-da,
he agreed with Mrs. Harding that theSS
would start the new Administrator
right by attending the theater tonight
In making their selection of severa
attractions playing in Washington they
discovered that an old friend, Al Jol,
son, was playing at the Belasco.
Jolson headed a delegation of stage
and motion picture people to the front
porch at Marion last summer. That
was the occasion when the Hardincs
discovered that the new Secretary o1
State, Charles Evans Hughes, was, as
one of the movie actresses EXPRESSED
1t, regular fellow"
1t was something in the nature Of 6
reunion at the theater tonight, for the
very best seats to be had were occu.
pied by many Of Marion's leading citi.
Zens who had come here for the inaugu.
ration.
The President and Mrs. Harding
were cheered when they arrived at the
theater He shook hands with the man
ager. AS he and Mrs. Harding were
escorted to the Presidential box the
orchestra played the Star-Spanelec
Banner, and the audience applauded.
Mr. Harding was up before Z O'Clock
this morning, and as he expressed it
ready to tackle the Job" A few min.
utes before 9 o'clock he was at his desl
and to work. While he received his
visitors, settled the affairs of few Re
publicans, created couple Of maio,
generals and generally made himsell
useful to the nation, Mrs. Harding was
getting acquainted with her new do
main.
Mrs. Harding Visits Offices
White House policemen and othe,
staff employees were galvanized to at
tention by an unheralded visit from thu
First Lady of the Land to the execu.
tive offices. In a charming black frocl
and wearing a string of ivory bead:
about her neck, Mrs. Harding strollee
into the reception room of the Offices
and greeted the newspaper men, Secret
Service agents and other attaches. Sht
explained that it was her intention tf
get acquainted. She left after a, few
Continued next psss)