Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1921-09-30

SIX MONTHS OF HARDING

We nave nau inc llTSl slA
months of Harding. In reading
editorial comment on the achieve
ments Of the past six months we
find the big daily papers are still
partisan to the nth degree. Re
publican papers applaud, and
Democratic papers condemn, with
apparent equal reason and logic,
AS rural "smail town paper"
we have our ideas, and they have
not been formed by reading the
papers which criticise or applaud
the president, but from the stand
point of one who trys to keep tab
on what is happening in this, and
other countries.
The News Record is of the
opinion that at least two big steps
have been taken by the Harding
administration which may lead to
most worthy goal. We refer to
the adoption of the Budget
System Of governmental eXpen-
dimres, and the calling Of the
conference for a reduction Of arm
ament, to meet in Washington on
November 1lth next.
We believe in the budget idea
of public expenditures. But such
a system will not work of its own
self. 1t will take a drastic super
vision on the part of Dawes to
keep the different department
heads within the limits of their
agreed budget. AS a matter of
fact the month of July last past
showed a deficit of $l13,000,000
as compared with July 1920. In
other words the budget system
seeks to cut down government
expenditure, but the figures for
the first actual test are disap-
pointing.
To our way of thinking the
one big thing so far attempted
by Mr.. Harding is the call for
disarmament. The four American
delegates chosen are Chas. E.
Hughes, Elihu Root, Henry Cabot
4 Lodge and Oscar W. Underwood
This move was not instituted by
President Harding, but by Sena,
tor Borah, of Idaho, who threw
into the effort his great weight
of personality, and his ability as
an astute politician. At first ii
was received by Mr.. Harding in
a lukewarm fashion. But such an
avalanche of approval by the
people rushed down upon official
Washington, that Mr.. Harding
has taken up the matter with a
considerable amount of interest
and sanction Uuless we are wild
in our shooting, this will be the
one measure upon which Warren
G, Harding will either stand OF
fall. If the conference fails tc
adopt a clear-cut plan to greatly
reduce both naval and land arm
ament, we will be worse off thar
before we started. For each ma
ton will look upon the other ma
tons with jealous fear, and start
to oil up their guns and whet
their swords. If the conference
adjourns without agreeing upol
a worthwhile limitation of arma
ment, the day of adjournment viii
be a dark day in the history o.
the world. The sun will not shine
on that day, nor the birds sing
The world will retire to their bed
heart-sick, and wonder why mel
] have lost their reason.
! But if representatives meet il
the Capitol City from France
England, Japan, Italy, and othe
foreign nations, and there shal
seriously and sacrcdly promis
and agree upon a program to qui
building boats and arsenals, anc
adopt the Golden Rule as thci,
national slogan, it will be tn,
| gladdest day that has dawnet
since the Star of Bethlehem frs
shone, and the Angels sang o
"Peace on Earth, Goodwill to
| ward Men. Meanwhile Nh
Harding should not forget that a
the head of the greatest peopl,
on earth, he must keep leading
He has delegated the actual worl
of the conference to four NEIL
but the man back of the Roul
men must be w G, Harding, an,
these four men must be assure,