The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-28
REMARKS CRITICIZED BY
 DEMOCRATIC SENATORS

Washington, October 27.--President Harding's address on the race ques- ton at Birmingham evoked state ments today from democratic senators criticizing the executives remarks and from republican senators com mending the Presidents position.
 Democrats who criticized the Presi- dents speech included Senators liar rison of Mississippi, Watson of Geor- gia, Heflin of Alabama and Mex ellar of Tennessee. Republicans, who In formal statements declared their ap- proval of 1t, included Senators Calder of New York. Spencer of Missouri and Willis of Ohio
 The democrats declared that the Presidents remarks on the race ques- ton were inopportune and that his policies would tend toward social equality of the negro with the whites. Senator Watson of Georgia said the Presidents speech was unfortunate and mischievous."
 We are not going to permit social or political equality of the kind the President advocates" he declared.
 Senator Willis said "the Presidents ringing statement in defense of politi- cal and economic equality of indi- vidual opportunity with recognition of absolute divergence In things so- cial and racial is as courageous as 1t Is true"
 There is no use in anybody get ting into quarrel with facts" he added. "The President has stated the facts; political critics may wish the facts were otherwise but that does not change the situation. The coun- try will applaud President Harding's clearness of statement and patriotism of purpose"
 Can Serve No Good
 Senator Mcclellan declared the Presidents speech was 'ill-conceived, ill., timed, ill-placed and can serve no useful purpose"
 Its only effect" he said, will be to arouse racial discussions and racial prejudices that had better been left dormant. Speeches of this kind will not benefit the negro and may do him serious harm.
 Ut is unfortunate that the Presi- dent should have seen fit to discuss in the very heart of the black belt the race question on his first trip south after his election to the presi- dency. There was no demand for a discussion of the racial question at this time.'
 Senator Calder. republican, New York, declared the Presidents speech courageous.
 T thoroughly indorse the Presi- dents statements" he said. T in dorse his views for political rights for negroes. We have elected negroes to the New York city board of alder men and to the New York state as- sembly. If they should have the ma jority of votes they would be entitled to seat In the United States Sem ate."
 HefIin States Views
 Senator Heflin in his statement said in part:
 "Lincoln in his debate with Doug las in lS59 said: I am opposed to making voters or jurors of negroes. There is no escape from the assertion that absolute political and economic equality between the whites and the negroes means the wiping out of all color line in the partnership in busi- ness and the election of negroes to public office over white people. So- cial equality Is next door to such humiliating and disgraceful policy. So far as the south Is concerned we hold to the doctrine that God All mighty has fixed the limits and boun- dary lines between the two races ana no republican living can improve upon His handiwork."
 Senator Spencer said that the timely utterance of the President Is all the more necessary If there Is any disposition to disagree to its manifest truth"