The evening world., 1921-03-07
Receives Calls From Leaders
of Opposite Party and
Gets Advice.
ANXIOUS FOR SUPPORT.
Shows He Has Learned Lesson
of Being on Good Terms
With Congress,
By DaUid Laurence.
Especial Correspondent Of The Eve
ming Worldly

W WAhhANGIONt March NCopy-
right, ls2D The era OF good feeling,
proclaimed 90 hopefully by President
Harding in his inaugural address. has
in a measure been begun.
The smiling countenances OF Demo
cratic as well as Republican Senators
emerging from the Presidents office
bore testimony to-day to the fact that
for the first time In eight years Con-
g-ess and the Chief Executive are on
intimate terms with one another.
This means no reflection on Mr..
Wilson, who Camo 70 Washington
without knowing much about the
personal equation Of Congress and
who never cultivated the legislative
membership. but II docs mean that
Warren HardinG's six years In the
United States Senate will sprobably
prove a great advantage instead OF
a handicap to him.
There are almost as many Demo-
Gratis as Republicans calling on Mr..
Harding. Senator oscar Underwood
OF Alabama, leader OF the minority,
spent long time with the President
When he came out OF the White
House Mr.. Underwood admitted that
he had asked Mr.. Harding TO give the
boys in Congress a chance to 80
home between now and the extra Bes-
sion OF Congress, arguing. indeed, that
Congress would probably be here all
summer and that the interval was
needed by every member Of Congress
Irrespective OF party. But that was
not all Mr.. Underwood and Mr.. Har-
ding talked about
"The President and are old
friends" said Mr.. Underwood, with q
laugh. "and we had a good deal to
talk about that couldn't be made pub
lic."
Another Democrat. senator Cham
berlain Of Oregon, had an audience
with President Harding. who, It will
be recalled, expressed personal regret
, at the defeat suffered by Mr.. Cham
berlaln in the last election.
, what chance had l." said Mr.
, Chamberlain iOklnglN when the out
going President didn't want 70 see
me reelected and the incoming Presl-
dent teiegraphed out that ne wanted
a Republican electedT
There is good reason 70 believe that
President Harding will take care Of
Mr. Chamberlain by appointing him
&c the Shipping Board ~ q Demo-
cratic member.
But the striking event with which
Warren Harding begins his frst week
as Chief Executive is unquestionhbiy
the dinner to be given tonight at
the White House 10 twelve members
Of the House ana nine members Of
the Senate. all OF them Republican
leaders. Mr. Wilson did not believe
in talking business at meal times.
Rarely did he invite anybody TO lunch
or dinner who might talk shop. The
occasions at which Senators and Rep
: resentatives were especially invited
TO dine at the White House in the
last eight years can be numbered on
the fingers Of two hands. Both Presi-
dents TAFT and Roosevelt seldom
! missed a week without having mem.
bers OF Congress- TO lunch or dinner
or even breakfast. Mr.. Wilson pre-
ferred TO work hard between meal
hours and see callers in the forenoon
OF afternoon or even after dinner al
night reservinE meal hours for his
family.
4 President Harding shares the Euro
pean idea that much more can bt
accomplished in government over q
i cup OF coffee than by stiff and forma
conferences under the stress and
strain OF a crowded engagement list
Mr., Harding knows Congress u
aware that the success OF his Admin.
j. atrntion depends upon the kind co.
a operation he gets not merely from
!. the members OF his own party, bu
the minority az well. The President
I Is an earnest Individual who has sci
p out TO get the maximum amount o.
"a help out OF Congress. He Is already
IN popular with the rank and flle OF Con
gre8s. He believes, moreover. in part!
n. organization and viii follow rathe
~ rigldly the recommendations OF th'
- local party chieftains on appoint
ments.
q His knowledge Of how 10 handle poll
hl ticians is his greatest asset, for Will
or the political folks do not as d rule con
a tribute constructive ideas. they can d
ne a great deal TO undermine and destro
public confidence In Chief Executive
,- Mr. Harding has started out well wit
Ne his invitation 10 members Of Congress
id 10 sit with him at dinner and plan tn
nl work OF the extra session.
,y Mr.. Harding, moreover. has give
a his Cabinet 70 understand that n
hopes they will handle a. much bus
ness AZ possible without referring mat
10 ters 10 him. He wants the heads
the departments 20 manage those ID
- partments and 10 consult him only o
10 questions OF broad policy. Mr. Har
.e- ding means 20 make his Cabinet ofiiceT
n do the work and take the respons
d. bility too. That alone has inspire
confidence already. and. so FAR as n
national capital IS concerned. II hs
"a revived thoughts OF another era
good feeling In American istory.