The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-07-14
HARDING GRIP
STRENGTHENED
BY INITIATIVE
Courage in Opposing Bonus
Bill and Success Of Disarma-
ment Suggestion Dignifies
President-Still Modest.
CLINCHES PARTY HOLD
ny MARK SULLIVAN

President Harding's authority over the
Republican senators has been in
creased by the bonus bill episode to
point where it is hard to foresee any
questioning Of it on almost the same
day his prestige throughout the coun-
try has been increased enormously by
the success of mis- initiative for dis
armament conference.
The combined makes Harding's posi-
tion as party leader practically unas-
sailable. If he now chooses to exercise
authority over the Republican SEN
ators. they are in no position 10
resist.
When they begged Harding to come
in and take the bonus OF resisting the
bonus bill, which they were not cour-
ageous enough to take themselves,
they put themselves in position
where they can hardly refuse in the
future. as the saying is, to 'eat out OF
the presidents hand"
What the Republican Senators did
about the bonus bill humbles them in
proportion as Harding's courage on
the same point dignifes him.
Interesting Episode.
The history Of the summoning OF
President Harding TO step into the
breach is one of the most irI eresting
political episodes of the present ses-
sion.
The initiative in favor of the bonus
bill came from a Republican Senator,
McCumber of North Dakota. The
other senators, who have been en-
barrassed by Senator McCumbers
energetic advocacy of this measure,
now say grumbingly that the North
Dakota senator's motive lay in the fact
that he comes up for reelection next
year. This may or may not be.
In any event, Senator McCumber
has no greater need to defend his
motive in pushing the bill than the
other Republican senators have TO
defend their course in lodging action
on it,
Senator McCumber stands next to
Senator Penrose in authority on the
finance committee of the senate In
that position he is able 70 exact some
defense In the beginning the other
Republican Senators seem to have
been willing TO let Senator McCumber
get the credit for activity in favor of
the bonus bill without intending that
il should go as far as it ultimately
did
-, Takes BIT in Teeth.
But Senator McCumber took the bit
in his teeth TO a degree his fellow Re-
puhlicans did not anticipate and
forced the bonus bill to a point where
it was made the unfinished business.
The other Republican senators, who
in their hearts did not approve of the
bill, could have prevented it from be-
coming the unfinished business by the
simple caudor of voting against
Senator McCunlber's motion to that
effect
But the fact is that in the two roll
call on the giving of right of way to
the soldier bonus bill only one Repub-
lican senator had the courage to vote
nay. In fact, among both Democrats
and Republicans there were only five
senators who voted against making
the soldier bonus bill the unfinished
business, and the only effective speak.
ing in the senate against this action
will be done by three Democrats
Senator Underwood, who is the Demo.
cratic leader. Senator Glass, OF Vir-
ginia. who is a former Democratic
secretary OF the treasury, and Senator
Myers, of Montana.
Lack Courage.
All the Republican senator's. except
Warren. of Wyoming. either voted in
favor Of giving right of way to the
bonus bill, or else took refuge in
silence Hardly a handful of them
really believe the bill ought to be
taken up, but they lack the courage to
say so either in speeches or by their
votes.
II was at this point. in the light
q III n tn ro4a r.
bonus bill down, that they went tc
Harding more or less in a state OF
panic. and begged him to show thr
courage that they did not themselves
have. President Harding took tho
burden with complete courage ant
candor
After this episode it is hard Il
imagine the Republican senate leaders
ever defying Harding on any issue.
Still Modest.
Harding bears the present prosper
ity of his fortunes modestly. He il
not tempremental enough to show
much either of exaltation or Of de
preston. Nevertheless, those who
have observed him this week. either
publicly or privately, have not failed
to notice the quiet assurance Of I
confident man.
He looks as cool as May. Will,
others around him are sweating. HI
is calm when others are excited H,
has the strong degree of composurt
and self-confidence which shows itsel
occasionally in gentle satire and il
humor at his own expense. Unques
tionably, things are going Harding
way.
Copyright 1921 by, the New Yorl
Evening Post, Inc.)