Evening star., 1921-07-22
Editorial Digest
The President Takes the Helm,

Regardless Of party. the American
press Is behind President Hariing's
assumption of leadership" exempli-
ned by his recent acts. especially the
speech against the bonus. though he
10 attacked as Inconsistent" by tho
Wilson followers. who resented in
ferences in the campaign promises
to refrain from interference" with
Congress. Defenders Of the admins
tration express the belief that the
Harding method Of leading Is su-
perior to that OF his predecessor.
A typical attitude Is revealed by
the Asheville Times (republican),
which explains that president Hard
ing has been forced to interfere to
|, save Congress from its own SELF" and
while ''he has turned his back on his
electioneering assurances that he
would not meddle in legislative con-
cerns." the Times "is willing to for
give him these trespasses If he will
only induce Congress to cease its
sidestepping and get down to busi-
ness"
Sentiments like the above and those
coming from circles close to the ad-
ministration seem strange" to the
Milwaukee Journal independently,
when it recalls how solemnly and
weightily these same men and others
Of their way of thinking" criticised
Roosevelt's efforts and then tried to
forget what they said about Roose-
welt, when they were turning the
same charges of usurpation and VIOLA
tion Of the Constitution against Mr..
Wilson" Now, adds the Asbury Park
Press independent democratic). they
are engaged in defending President
Harding against a similar charge"
This fact the Rochester Herald (in-
dependent). looks upon as fresh
proof" that the theory upon which the
republican campaign was based is
unworkable. proof which has appar-
emily convinced President Harding.
the Chattanooga Times independent
democratic) says, that Wilson was
right.
The Grand Rapids Press Undepend-
cnt) believes that the President was
sincere in his campaign utterances.
but that "in three months he has
for success or failure rests upon the
administration. the executive Will get
no aid from Congress unless he lays
his hands on. as did Mr.. Wilson and
Mr.. Roosevelt" Indeed. "it is only In
political campaigns" remarks the
syracuse Herald independently. that
the pretension Is made that the Presi-
dent of the United States is not
something of a democratic dictator.
To the Roanoke World-News (demo-
cratic) the President has yielded to
the American public's demand" in
taking over "the reins of leadership
in Washington" and the Kansas City
Star Qndependent) feels that this
recent assumption OF direction OF
governmental activities In Washing
ton already has shown results In ere
ating a better feeling. in the country
and establishing greater confidence"
The Roanoke Times (democratic) spe-
cifically mentions his stand on the
bonus question as having given him
greatly increased prestige and pow
err"
While the writer's already cited ap-
parently find 1t unnecessary to defend
the Presidents action. it is true that
excuses which the New York Times
independent democratic) declares
are beginning to be heard in Wash
newspapers who approve of the Pres
ident's taking the helm" The Spring
field Republican independently sug-
gests that Mr.. Harding will do well
to ignore charges Of inconsistency in
having adopted one Of the most con-
timistically adds that "he may be
able to exercise the function of lead
ership over Congress. owing to his
congressional service. with more
inesse and tact than his predecessor;
II so, we believe the country will be
richly benefited"
The Springfield Union (republican)
suggests that the President has
doubtless taken the step rather re-
luctantly, in view of campaign stric
lures on the autocracy of President
Wilson. but there may be an essential
difference between such a despotic
will as President Wilson exercised
and a will that gains its ends in
more accommodating and less auto
cratic manner" The Johnstown DEM
ocrat (democratfc) sees q distinct diff
ference in the methods Of the two
men. "Mr. Wilson framed his plans
without consulting Congress-" it de-
clares. 'Mr Harding is framing his
plans. but he is taking Congress into
his confidence
HE doesn't work as Mr.. Wilson
worked" says the Buffalo Commercial
independently. He doesn't taboo any
member of Congress who does not
support him. The doors of the White
House are not closed to those con-
gressmen who vote against his ad-
vice and he has not yet threatened
recalcitrant members with ignoring
their recommendations for appoint
ment to office. But In a dignified and
courteous manner he goes to the Sem
ate and tells senators frankly. but
pointedly. the reasons why they
should retrace their steps and take up
matters that more nearly concern the
|