Evening journal., 1921-03-15
Uncle Ted's Bedtime Stories
Home Week at White House-Gates Ajsr

There he is now" cried Jack and
Ruth together They had come
down 70 the station to welcome their
Uncle Ted back from Washington.
They rushed into his arms as he
stepped from the train and urged
him to tell them all about his trip.
"Wait until after supper" he in
sisted, "and then you shall hear
something Of what I have seen and
heard at the National Capital"
Promptly after they had eaten all
three gathered around the fire pre-
pared for the interesting story they
knew Uncle Ted would unfold.
We'll, children" he began, you
have all read about the inaugura-
ton and seen the pictures in the
paper Of the ride to and from the
Capitol. the big crowd listening to
President Harding's address, and the
scenes about IN. White House. What
I want TO tell you of is what Mr..
Harding b~s done as a beginning TO
the return to popular government
that no promised. one OF his first
acts--ef little concern, but indicat-
pursue-was to throw open the gates
of the White House grounds to the
public 1t was the rr-r time the
common people had been admitted
within the inclosure for years. and
they were prompt to take advantage
Of the restoration OF their old priv
ileges.
Two days after his Inauguration
President Harding had dinner at
the White House to which were in
vited the leaders of the Republican
maJorities in both the Senate and
House of Representatives. Such an
event was practically unheard Of
during the time his predecessor was
in office, and the resumption of con-
ferences with the legislative brancn
Of the Government was as much an
innovation as the admission OF the
people to the White House grounds.
The members of Congress were not
called in by the President to receive
orders at his hands. but to advise
him on the pressing matters that are
before him for disposition. 1t was
said by one OF the guests that Pres
ident Harding did far more lis
tening than talking during the meal
and the discussion that followed.
They were all impressed with the
changed atmosphere that had come
over the White House. and were
filled with confidence when they
thought Of the helpful relations that
will exist between the President and
Congress in the future.
Another conference was arranged
by Mr.. Harding with a group Of his
friends in the Senate, only a day or
two after his inauguration. 1t took
place at a country estate near Wash
ington. and furnished another op-
portunity for the President TO learn
at first hand the views held by the
men upon which he must rely to put
his policies into the form OF laws.
"Still another evidence of the
Presidents desire to possess himself
Of the views of others was furnished
in the first Cabinet meeting. In the
past such meetings nave peen little
more than occasions for the submis-
zion OF reports from the Cabinet
members to their chief, and in re-
turn TO receive from him the orders
of the day. Now all that is changed
Each member OF Mr.. Harding's cab
met was selected for his ability I,
contribute TO the success Of the Re
publican administration, and whel
they assemble together each is in
vited and expected to offer his opin
ion on any question that may be un
der discussion.
Now, children. the phrase pop
ular government is one about which
we heard so much during the cam
paign Of last summer. 1t is men
toned frequently now when refer
ence is made to Mr.. Harding and hi
policies. But the country has suffer
cd so much and so long under an
administration that has patterned
its actions after the monarchies O
the Old World that we can scarcel,
say too much about the return {,
popular government that has com
at last.
Il saw and heard many thing,
while / was in Washington that MAJ
be OF more interest to you than wha
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