The New York herald., 1921-01-02
Harding Would Popularize
the u. S. Constitution.

1--WE must literally get back to the
Constitution. Respect for that tncom-
parable set of governmental principles
must be enhanced. Ways must be found
to popularize the document itself, If
use the right word. People should read
it more, boys and girls especially. 1t
should be a. high school requirement for
every boy and girl to have an accurate,
understanding notion OF the Constitution
OF the United States. Am / a little old
fashioned? Possibly SO.
II bnlieve in getting back to the old
fashioned principles that made America
so great. but there is nothing old fash
ioned about my regard for new methods
We are not what we were even decade
ago There are new standards of
thought as we'll as of living that govern
ments must take into consideration.
There are problems of social justice and
welfare, for example, that were scarcely
thought OF even a few years ago.
"Our life is changing in many ways.
notably in the drift to the cities and the
perious abandonment of agriculture.
There is problem that I am already
devoting much thought to.
But you asked me originally about
the Cabinet and my Cabinet difficulties
AS | say, look at that accumulation of
mail never dreamed of the under
currents and the cross currents Of this
Cabinet making task. l wish j could tell
you about some of them but that is
not possible. l can say this, that when
it became known that / had various
men under consideration for Cabinet
places there was the most astounding
reaction in the mail, persons l never
heard OF writing me in furious protest,
and some persons whose identity ] was
quite familiar with exhibiting the most
extraordinary reasons for obJecting 10
certain men not even being considered.
"And then there were some. amazing
reasons for advocating the appointment
OF these and others. Approval and dis
approval touched strange places and re-
vealed some rather weird minds. That
is what / mean by saying there were
amazing currents and cross currents OF
opinion about this Cabinet matter. 1t
might surprise you to hear that the
liveliest controversies are over the posts
Of Interior, Agriculture and Labor.
There have been thousands OF letters
literally relative TO these appointments
Not nearly so many people seem to be
exercised over my invitations to the
state Department or to the Treasury"
''How do you find time, Senator, TO
accomplish all of your conferences. read
all this mail and still have leisure for
quiet reflection over your many prob
lems?" / asked.
II don't" the President-elect replied.
'T should like to be able to 20 without
sleep and food and to give all OF the
twenty-four hours to the job. have
never worked so hard in my life. and l
have known what work is have been
the editor of a struggling country news
naner Won know That SMELLS work Vt
would be all right il you could get ex-
ercise. That has been impossible with
winter coming on so severely here In
Marion. I'm used to bodily exercise.
have got to have It TO keep my brain fit.
can't think clearly when / have been
compelled to stay indoors for days on
end. MY doctor tells mo that must ad-
journ the conferences and transfer the
rest OF my work to place where I can
spend SO many hours out OF doors every
day, and since you know what an agree
able tyrant DIR. G. T.. Sawyer is sup
pose / shall have to follow his advice
pretty soon"