Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-02-02
SERIOUS PROBLEMS
FACEDBY HARDING
Unemployment and Industrial
Stagnation Impatient for
Immediate Cure.

President elect Harding, it is de-
clared by men who have talked with
him during recent weeks, keenly
realizes that the new administration
viii enter upon no primrose path of
dalllance when it assumes office, and
consequent responsibility March 4.
Profoundly sensible of the high ex-
pectations entertained by the country.
he is aware of the limitations of full
fillment, with the inevitability OF
partial disappointment, which is
bound to react upon the republican
party.
AS the ides of March approach. the
problems are gathering in number ana
gravity, questions of both domestic
and interna tional Importance. The
most serious menace is said to be that
some of the vexatious ones are not
susceptible of treatment by 1esisla-
tive or administrative methods. al
though the country demands imme
diate solution. but must yield to eco
nomic conditions and the operation
of natural laws. The blame for fail
ure of a speedy cure-all. however, will
be- laid at the doors of the administra-
ton.
1t is pointed out by the statesmen
those which prevailed when the re-
publicans took over the government
in 1897, after a period of democratic
regime. The situation at that time
was peculiarly responsive to legisla-
tive and administrative action. The
mere assurance of the incoming of a
republican administration promising
sound money and an adequate pro-
tective tariff was sufficient to arouse
languishing business, and long be-
fore the new administration took
hold the boom of reviving business
was on.
Harding Is Depressed.
Then it was a situation local to the
United States. Now it is a state of
affairs affected by old world condi-
tions of appalling intensity and mag
nitude. The home troubles are suf-
ficient in themselves to be classed as
staggering. the statesmen say, while
superimposed upon them is the for
eign distress reflected here.
President-elect Harding is reported
as being depressed by the outlook,
but not despairing. His one hope is
said to be that the country may
realize these things and have patience
while the problems work out natural
ly, with such assistance as Legislation
and administration can provide, an
aid realized to be auxiliary, but not
compelling.
In Congress men are wondering il
a countrywide railroad strike Is to
meet the new administration at the
threshold of office. That is one of
the domestic events which would
have far-reaching effect upon the
resuscitation of business through
legislation on the tariff. on taxes. on
immigration and the other means Of
help within the power of Congress
to extend.
Fear Big Rail Strike.
Republicans are aghast at the pos
sibility of the new administration
having to suffer such a handicap at
the outset. The railroad situation is
one of the heritages of the world
war. but its handling comes within
the time of incumbency of the ad-
ministration succeeding the one in
power when it was created. Already
the railway operatives are adopting
resolutions demanding that Congress
do something" to help them, whereas
the issue between them and the en-
ploying roads is strictly an economic
one which cannot be legislated upon.
Unemployment, which is reaching
threatening proportions. cannot be
handled by Congress nor by executive
ukase. yet ii is realized that the un-
employed will lay all their woes to
"the governments" failure to do
something and they will be prone to
make the first black mark against
the republican party which will then
be in control of the government.
Among republican leaders in Con-
gress there is deep solicitude whether
this session is to add to President
Harding's embarrassme nts by failing
to do its prime duty of passing the
appropriation bills. They apprehend
sharp public criticism if it so turns
out, and the charge that the repub-
licans are Inefficient
The assurance that they can be
passed at the extra session is held
to be beside the mark. The fact is
contended to be that it is the duty
of the Congress to pass them at this
session. AS is always done. Failure to
do so would be on account of petty
jealousies and squabbling, it is charg-
ed. as the country would recognize.
Moreover, the leaders point out.
everybody shares the feeling of Mr.
Harding that the work of this Con-
gress should be cleaned up and the
extra session left clear to handle the
task for which it will be called-re-
construction