The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-04-12

UUUUW UuyhI
IN HOME TOWN
Thomas brooks Fletcher Tells Men.
bcrs Of Moline After. Dinner Club
Of Executives Mature.
The real President Harding is not
the mythical man Of the pictures
who resembles Lincoln or Wash
ington, but is . kindly, sincere,
loyal and lovable chap, according
to Thomas Brooks Fletcher.
Mr.. Fletcher is a chautaulua lee
turer, who was in competition with
President Harding in the newspaper
business at Marion, Ohio. The lee
turer is also a Democrat. He ad-
dressed members OF the Moline Aft
er-Dinner club last evening.
IF Harding is going to solve the
big problems which confront him.
said Fletcher, he must look over
the heads ofthe insiders in the SEN
ate and must look to the people.
And the people must understand and
love him"
Mr.. Fletcher answered questions
concerning members Of the cabinet
following the lecture. Herbert
Hoover was praised very highly by
the speaker, but came in for his
share Of criticism on account Of his
refusal to endorse trading with So
Wet Russia.
Mr.. Fletcher declared Mrs. Hard
ing is one Of the greatest women in
America. There is not a finer do
nestle situation in America than
the Harding home life" said Mr.
Fletcher. They cooperate on ev-
erything.
when President Harding was "a
years old he decided the policy Of
his life cooperation with Other
minds. He married Mrs. Harding
Mrs. Harding had been married be
fore. Her father was wealthy and
opposed the marriage and was bite,
about it for years.
But Mrs. Harding did the RICH,
thing. She was very ambitious fol
her husband. She wanted to show
her people that she hadn't made g
mistake. Harding himself is q
modest man, not very ambitious
Mrs. Harding kept urging him, ant
urging him, and today he is presi'
dent.
Mrs Harding worked On hel
husbands paper for IL years
worked day and night in the bust
ness department. The Hardings
deserve what they have got because
they worked hard, but they have hal
time to think Of other people"
Mr.. Fletcher dwelt for some tint
on Harding's life in Marion. ant
declared the president was Away;
loyal to his hcme town, never fail
ing to give to every good cause, ant
always willing to support every ven
ture for the good of the commun
ity.
I'VE love one another in Marion.
he said. We love one another il
self defense, because we are ont,
one another. The spirit of co-opera
ton has done wonders for Marion
it has brought the spirit of unitet
action. So it is pleasant to liv'
there.
We kill millions of men ant
spend billions of dollars because o
an imaginary line, because We dom
understand each other. We mus
love each other in self defense a!
we do in Marion~
Harding is man who will brinl
the factions together. He is a mai
who has a great big heart. He is :
man of more heart than he appear.
to be. He appointed Hughes ant
Hoover against the wishes of man,
political advisors"
Fletcher told of President Hard
ings career from the time he wa.
a youth. Before he was 10 he ha,
been in college, had been in the in
surance business, had studied Law
When he was 10 he borrowed SIS,
and bought newspaper which to
day is worth 100000.
President Harding is not an &C
cident. He was progressive in tn,
newspaper business. He divorce.
himself from his partner becaus'
the latter didn't want telephones.
Mr.. Harding has three names TO
his better half. declared the speak
ew. When he wants to be intimat
he calls her Florence; when he i
romantic he calls her the duchess
and when he seems to be a bit hen
pecked he calls her 'she,'" declare,
Mr.. Fletcher.
In response to question from
Ia guest Mr.. Fletcher said the ap
pointment of Mr.. Daugherty as at
tcrney general was a matter Of per
sonal obligation which shows Hard
ings loyalty.
'Daugherty." he declared, "wo-
ships Harding and will try to liv
up to his great responsibility. H
will not do anything to embarras
the president.
Il believe President Harding vii
permit Mr.. Hughes to have final au
thority in the state department
Hughes is the intellectual of tn
cabinet. II he doesn't have his ow
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