Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-03-04
Harding CIassifies
Self as Editor; Is
.Loathe Quit Shop

Washington, Mar. 4.-Whatev-
ever else he may be, Warren G.
Harding, always classifies himself
as an editor, publisher and print
er, proud of his professional ac-
complishments and training. His
luck charm and most sacred pos
session is printers rule, carried
| in his pocket wherever he goes;
and his close friends say he would
rather set a stick of type any day
| than grant an audience to an am
| bassador.
| For more than thirty years Mr..
Harding's bread and butter mas
been earned by the Marion Star
whose responsibilities he assumed
under heavy mortgage and whose
early years he nourished at the
expense of going hungry more
than once himself. Since his nom
ination for the presidency he has
faced only one public ordeal tnat
aroused emotions he could not
master. That was the temporary
HtNtIdHCt VI lilt llOo tlAdl bliih iAihA
to the Star. On election night,
when a group of his employees
came to congratulate nsm, his voice
broke and his big frame was shak-
en- by sobs when he undertook to
speak of the separation that must
be the price OF his triumph.
Son OF Doctor
Election day was Mr.. Hardings
fifty fifth birthday, and all the
interests of his lifetime had been
rooted in the immediate vicinity
of Maron. He was born at Bloom
ing Grove, o., in an adjoining
county, the son of a country doc
tor, George T. Harding, who still
visits his patients about Marion in
the one-horse carriage of the old
school practitioner The new pres
ident's mother has been dead for
many years and his father is re-
married.
Young Harding attended college
at iberia, o., and then tried school
teaching for year before he be-
Edh MS newspaper AhittAs always
partisan and a Republican. he
lost his job as reporter by wear
ing in the presence OF his demo-
cratic editor a blaine hat" the
stove pipe which was a badge of
support of James G. Blaine.
Sought New Methods
Although II was a pioneer news
paper age. Mr.. Harding's mind ran
to progressive notions even in the
dav when the star still was a IL
N''ifv He broke with his first
-~a~ over the question of in
= telephone in the newspa-
too. a proposal which his
old 10 be impra cucal, ex-
e and revolutionary. AL
retains a controlling fl
'"terest in the Star, now n
wi newspaper. Mr.. Hard
'n occupy but titular re-
- "ship TO II during his presi-
iency.
Three times before he has held
public office. He served in the
Ohio legislature and as lieutenant
governor of the state. and six
years ago he was elected to the
United States senate where he be- #
,ame a member OF the foreign re-
ations committee. In 1915 he was
chairman of the republican ma
ional convention.
Big Man Physically
In personal appearance the new
PRESIDENT is a man to attract a Sec
md look in any crowd. He carries
lis two hundred and ten pounds ,
without a hint OF obesity, although |
lie is not quite six feet tall; and I
lis massive features round out an
Impression of force and distinct &
on. His hair is iron grey-almost 7
liver grey-maSlng sharp con- [
rast with the unusually heavy r
lack eyebrows that almost mask S
pair OF calm grey eyes. Ii is only q
d repose that his face takes on
he aspect OF severity seen so Of c
en- in his photographs. When he r
Alks or listens the lines are brok- L
n by a smile that radiates cordi- Z
lity.
President Harding walks slowly.
llks slowly. and makes up his
lind slowly; but he gives the i'm
ression OF polished deliberation
lther than OF over caution or
He is a good CONVERSE n
onalist and a good listener. and u
rs a faculty of getting through Ia
situations with little
low OF embarrassment. "
Is No Orator n
As an orator Mr.. Harding never IN
- rated himself as witty or elo-
lenL though he attained consid-
able success a few years ago on
e chautaulua platform. He sell