The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-09
HARDING FINDS
| SENATE HAS NOT
Been SUBDUED!
Appointments Are Frowned
Upon When Presented.
Chief Campaign Pledge to
Women Is Held Up.
SENDS HIS FIRST MESSAGE
Urges Confirmation Colombian
Treaty at Once. 4
SoIons Instead Begin Talk OF
Taking Recess. {!
Chief Campaign Pledge To
Women Is Held Up.
SENDS HIS FIRST MESSAGE

Washington, March 9.-Presidene
Harding's first message to congress
was dispatched from the White House
shortly after noon today.
1t urged ratification of the Colom~
bian treaty by the senate which is be-
ing held in special session to consider
that measure and other treaties.
1t was announced that the text OF
the message would not be made pub
lie unless the senate decided to con<
slider it in open instead of executive
session.
Was Short Message.
Harding's message was short and
senator's said did not specifically urge
ratification at this session of the sem
ate. Senators Immediately began to
wood. Democratic leader. took the lead
in this. Lodge, however. said no
thought the senate should stay ae
work.
Senators Borah, Kellogg and johns
son. opponents of the treaty. raised the
question of consideration in open ses-
| sion.
They reminded senator's that the
senate last session made an order
for public consideration of the treaty.
Lodge argued for secret session. IN
derwood then began to talk vacation
and Lodge suggested that the whole
matter go over until tomorrow, which
the senate agreed to and adjourned.
Oppose Welfare Department.
President Harding's principal carn-
paign pledge to women voters prop-
a bly, may be the first to fail of reali-
zation.
| Harding, 1t was learned today. has
/ been informed that the proposal to
create a department of welfare to be
| headed by a woman cabinet member
will meet a quiet but firm opposition
| in congress Harding has informed
women leaders he will make the rec
! ornme ndation and fight for 1t, despite
the opposition. the strength OF which
he fully recognizes.
| The proposal for a department of
welfare was made in one of Harding's
speeches to women. Women leaders
who have called on the president
since his Inauguration asked about the
| idepartment of welfare. Harding. It
was said, assured them he would urge
it on congress. He was careful, how
| ever, not to hold out any hope that
1.-The recommendation would result in
favorable action.
| Oppose Appointments.
President Harding today sent to the
be sbrigadier general reserve corps. DR..
Charles s. Sawyer. To be assistant
secretaries of the treasury. F.. Parker
| Gilbert, Jr. Gncumbent). Bloomfield :
N. J.; Ewing Laporte (incumbent). st.
| Louis; Nicholas Kelly Uncumbent). I.
! President Harding appeared cons
| fronted today by the sort of congress
sional criticism that faced Woodrow
Wilson when he made his famous
| personal appointments
Many of these appointments by Will
son, notably that of Doctor Grayson.
his personal physician, as an admiral.
caused sharp fights in the senate be-
| fore confirmation.
The same criticisms that marked
the fight on Grayson today followed
announcement that Harding had ap-
| pointed DR.. c. E. Sawyer. his physi.
can. a brigadier general. Senators,
| however. refused to talk for publica-
| ton.