Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-09-07
Rival Parties Pick
Issues for Test

'ohhhueu i'oh "kt WV
greatly increase the tax bill may be
avoided.
Regarding the political sides Of the
conference and the Far Eastern ques-
tiOns. little interest is expressed. The
country has not got in the habit of
thinking internationally. Pacific prob
lens arc only vaguely understood.
international relations arouse inter
est only as they affect markets in this
country. The return of prosperity Is
likewise the chief interest of the voters.
There has been n curious change in ma
tional hopes with regard TO foreign
trade. Some months ago the whole
country was turning to foreign trade
rs the road to salvation.
Get Europe buying from US and busi-
ness will return to normal. There have
been many happy thoughts like this
about the way to resumption. Each
has had its day and each after inspec-
ton lost its charm. just now inter-
national trade has lost its charm, per-
hapS from realization that something
more than the waving of Il wand was
necessary to enable the rest of the
world to buy.
Anyway. people think less of dis
armament and less of international
trade rs the wav out of their present
economic difficulties.
Harding Closer to Mark
Mr.. Harding is closer to their hearts
when he talks of the economies of his
Administration and promises reform
of taxes than is the Democratic Ma
tionul Committee when it goes into for
eipn relations and disarmament Eco
,,It if flpN rpnl
md reformed taxes may help to start
business.
And on economies Mr.. Harding can
mokc good showing. He has sur
sounded himself with able men who are
moving toward an efficient and better
orgeni2pd Government, but they are en- =
countcring what Mr.. Hoover calls an
elmer resistance in the Government
orpauization which business men like
Mr.. Hoover do not face in efccting.. let
us say, what Mr.. Ford has effected in
his automobile plant.
The weakness of the Harding Admin :
istratiOn is the business depression and
the delay and drifting in Congress- C'
course. Mr.. Harding is not responsible
for the depression. III" inherited II
from his predecessor, but sooner or
later, if il continues, it will drive
voters away from him.
Too Soon to Howl Calamity
Probably the Democrats refrain from
making economic conditions the basis
of the campaign because it Is too soon
to do so. The American is patient
and optimistic. He wishes to give
Harding a chance. He asks what the
Administration is doing 10 better con
ditions. He docs not yet hold the Ad-
ministration responsible for failure to
better them.
Probably Democratic campaign
based on hard times would react against
the opposition. The electorate Is fair,
besides it is not yet ready to vote
that there are such hard times as TO
demand change in Washington
Psychology in situation
A somewhat psychological attitude
prevents the opposition from making
much of the situation which exists be-
tween the Executive md Congress The
Legislative branch shows no capacity
TO control itself and the Executive
shows no effective disposition to direct
After six months in office Postmaster
General Hays says in an inspired speech
Lin Cleveland tina we must come 10 .