Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-09-06
tion Of general ausstions psrtAinins

to the happiness Of nAtiona
The Wood mission to the Philip
pines was happy ono. A better man
than General Wood could not have
been found for that service. Students
OF Far Eastern matters were delight
ed when Mr.. Harding announced a
few days ago that General Woods
trip had resulted In the latter being
chosen as Governor General of the
Philippines, The Generals previous
experience in the islands, his ability
as an administrator, his courage as a
man and his magnetism as a leader
made him almost the ideal appointee.
Also one remembers that he IL a milf
tary man, and will keep understanding
eyes on all activities in that portion
of the world which might menace the
security OF our Island possessions
| We have listed some OF the general
successes OF the Administration. I'M
fortunately. they are outweighed by
certain strong failures which have
taken much discredit from the record
of the first six months. It is only
fair to say that not all of these failures
can be personally blamed upon Mr..
Harding. Certainly we cannot chide
him for the lack of leadership in Con-
gross. But it is this very lack of a
strong man in each House directing
promised legislation. which has caused
so much criticism of late. In the
House there is not a single Republican
who stands head and shoulders above
his brethren. The senate's condition
structive leader. and has proved his
deficiency. Borah. a strong and rug
ged character. unfortunately does not
speak for the Chief Executive. He has
power, and a certain quality OF leader
ship which is being lost because of his
differences with the White House.
One early incident in diplomatic
affairs caused much embarrassment
in Washington. That was George
Harvey's pilgrim's dinner speech, in
which that gentleman declared. Not
few remain convinced that we sent
our young soldiers across to save
is not the fact. We sent them solely
to save the United States Of America,
and most reluctantly and lsggardly at
that This materiaIistic view of our
war participation caused angry pro-
tests from every American State. Mr..
Harding and Secretary of State
Hughes lost no time in letting il be
known that the Administration. or at
least the Washington portion Of ii.
did not share Harvey's coarse opin-
ions.
While the Presidential campaign
was on the Republican party as a
whole talked much OF Furnishing the
profteers, abolishing pork barrel
legislation, and reorganizing the. Fed
eral Trade Commission. Any one or
all three of those acts performed
would have purchased approval from
the thinking public, but those promises
seemed to be of campaign vintage,
which are always forgot after the
votes are counted.
The Administration's deficiencies
are revealed fully when one reviews
the prediction pledges which Mr..
Harding made, and compares them
with the actual performances. OF
twenty important matters which Mr..
Harding discussed in his campaign.
only seven have been eonsummated
and these are not the most important,
either. And one matter. the tariff.
has not been definitely finished
But to take them in order of their
success: Cd The emergency tariff
act was passed, but the permanent
bill has not Seen completed. How
ever, we may call that victory. for
it is believed that the Old Guard will
have sufficient strength TO make it
law. CD We were promised a budget
system, and one has been inaugurated.
with General Dawes at the head of it.
This ultimately should be successful.
CD immigration has been limited for
a certain period. Although the law
is not working smoothly at present,
there is reason to believe that even
tually it viii be satisfactory. A more
comprehensive law will be passed
later. (4) Mr.. Harding promised that
we would have to maintain only