Omaha daily bee., 1921-05-22

Now Rules
At Capitol
Problems That Loomcd Dark
And Gloomy When New
Administration Took
Hold Are Vanishing.
No Friction Permitted
By N. O. MESSENGER,

by IN. ~. MES0ENGkK,
Copyright. 1921 by the Washington starr
Washington, May 2l.-President
Harding and his cabinet are begin
ming to sec daylight break over some
OF the big problems of the nation
which loomed so dark and gloomy
when the new administration took
hold, two and half months ago.
Optimism and cheerful outlook for
tie future constitute the order of the
day at the White House and abort
the great executive departments just
now.
This cheerful spirit is engcndere3
among those who are directing gov
ernmental affairs by the reports
which come to headquarters OF the
progress being made in the handling
OF many of the subjects which are
immediately in hand Likewise from
the news reaching Washington from
the country at large OF steady, if
slow, Improvement in ma" lines OF
industrial and commercial endeavor.
President Harding shares the be-
lief OF those who talk over the sit
uation around the cabinet table that
the bottom of hard conditions has
been reached and that with regard
to governmental problems and do
mcstic questions the upgrade has
approached and that it ought to be
steady climb from now on.
Harding Is Pleased.
President Harding is especially
pleased with the way things are 60
ing in congress. He likes the way
the house and senate have gone at
the big questions confronting them
and the speed with which they have
cleared UP many of them He is get
ting along famously with congress,
although he finds honest difference
OF opinion at times with projects
suggested. These yield to treat.
ment after his own diplomatic anil
concillatory way, and no acute issue
has yet been allowed ito develop be-
tween the executive and the lcgisla-
tive branches.
Lets see if we can't work it on.
satisfactorily to both Sides" might
be taken as paraphrased statement
OF his suggestion when he takes UP
a question over which there are dif-
terences of opinion between him and
senate and house leaders, near lead
ers and would-he leaders of the ono
Lection or another.
The way the disarmament ques-
ton was handled was a good exam
pie, When Senator Borah first pro-
posed his amendment to the naval
appropriation bill, providing for the
calling by the president OF the United
States of conference OF the powers
on disarmament, the executive was
not altogether pleased, He felt that
the president should be allowed to
take the initiative in this, unhan-
percd by suggestion from the legis-
lative branch. He did not feel that
he should be hurried.
Confers With Borah.
Senator Borall talked with him and
1T developed that they were not in
disagreement upon principles or es-
sentials. Senator Borah felt that he
would be acting within his own
rights If he discussed the question
freely in the senate. and the presi-
dent had no inclination to repress
the senate in free discussion. So
suddenly, there came change Of
policy. The administration ceased to
oppose the disarmament resolution
and accepted it.
The result will be the elimination
OF great deal OF talk in the senate
and the speedier passage of the naval
appropriation bill, which III its final
form will contain the appropriations
Tor continuing the naval program OF
this government, pending some pos
sible future agreement for disarma-
ment.
1t is the belief OF leaders in con-
eress that no amount Of talk and
criticism, would change the de-
termination OF a majority OF the
house and senate TO keep the navy in
fit condition pending the solution OF
world problems, any one OF which
may change from smouldering en-
bers into bright fame OF war at
moments notice. At the same time
all realize the monstrosity OF the
ever increasing armament bills OF the
world and the necessity for the ex-
ercise OF common sense.
Keep Powder Dry.
But the desire of the men in the
house and senate-and in the admin
istration out of congress, who are
responsible for governmental poll
eies is to get by" for the present
with the program already entered
upon and leave to the future the
determination of academic questions,
being assured for the time being that
they are keeping their powder dry
against eventualities.
President Harding is pleased with
the way congress, called by him in
extraordinary session, has moved for
the relief of the agricultural indus
try, by pushing the emergency tariff
legislation. 1t is another question
upon which men differ, whether it is
to be effective or not. The main
thing is, the farmers believe it will
They urged the legislation as one
plan for their rehabilitation, and the
president is glad to see it given a
trial
In the meantime, other agencies
are working for the betterment of the
farmers condition. The war finance
corporation has taken a new lease
on life and is providing means for
exports of farm and other products
to Europe with credits to finance the
: handling OF the goods.
Keeps Self Informed.
The president is not interfering by
way OF suggestions, further than
those made in his first address to
congress, with the details of tariff
L.. L..t La =. l..,-x>:s,xE .s. ei<,rI