The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1921-07-21

rectors and the manager continue to
accept deposits when the bank is in
solvent? That is a felony under the
laws of North Dakota.-Fargo Forum,
HE is WEARING WELL"
Those of us who supported Presi-
dent Harding because we were little
weary of one man government and OF
"supermen" in public life. and wanted
some real teamwork and efficiency at
Washington, have good reason to be
more than satisfied with results to
date. ~
Beneath the suave smile and genial:
kindly personality of President Hard
| ing there must be tremendous initias
tive and ability far beyond his own
modest estimate, Judging by results to
date. ,..a. r.
pointments have been most welcome
surprises. Even his most bitter OPP
ponents have not been able to find
much ground for criticism. Few of
the typical political appointments have
been made. On the contrary, Presi-
dent Harding has chosen the biggest
men heecould get, irrespective Of their
political value to him. And his abil-
ity to get these "best minds" working
tremendously amounts to genius.
Or take his handling of the .vexed
question of foreign relations. The
"irreconcilables" of both extremes
have been reconciled, or at least sill
enced. Within four months Of the date
he took Office we are at peace and the
work of negotiating treaty is under
way. --.& ~, F,s. 49,
The much discussed "senate dig
archy" has been quietly and effectively
put in it's place. There has been no
"grandstanding"' about it. but nobody
at Washington questions the fact that
the White House is handling it's own
business without any dictation from
the senate. On the contrary it looks
as if the White House would have to
supply some sadly needed initia-
tive and leadership to congress.
Again, we are fairly started on the
difficult road to economy. General
Dawes has been handed the job Of TAX
ing an axe to governmental expendi-
lures, and he has promised a program
by August. 4
q Also we have taken the initiative in
most promising disarmament move.
Perhaps some Of the credit for this
must be given to Senator Borah, but
only to the extent that he has hasten
ed the movement. President Harding
has always favored such conference,
but did not want the hands of his d.
plomats forced. His stand probably
was justified if all the facts were
known, for the question Of the Anglo
japanese treaty might well have en-
:bafrassed such conference if it had
not been first disposed of.
Az Again, the presidents courage in
the handling of the bonus question
cannot fail to arouse admiration. A
weak man or politician thinking only
of the soldier vote, would have openly
favored the bonus or would have
pussyfooted and perhaps "passed' the
buck" to congress. President Hard
ing did neither He spoke boldly.
openly and without. quibbling some
thing that not half a dozen congress-
men or senators have dared to do.
Most Of them realized that a general
bonus at this time would be little
Sl1OIL VI q SdAdulItys yCI CACy IcAAPOA0
lied or offered makeshift solutions
such as Senator McCumber's BILL
Frankly, many voters accepted
President Harding as the lesser of
two evils, or the least of several. They
thought that at least he would be
"''safe" and expected little more than
that. But his administration to date
has been most heartening surprise.
He has shown that it is possible to be
"safe and sane" without being reac-
tonary or hidebound. He has shown
a keen appreciation of the RESPONSE
bility of government to the aver
age man and woman, and desire to
find honest and real solutions based
on sanity and good Judgment for the
many serious problems confronting all
of us.
1 In brief, he is wearing well' and
admiration for his efforts and conf
dence in his ability and judgment in
crease with each week that passes.
Forum.