The New York herald., 1922-02-13
Business Depression, Bonus,
/ Tariff, Taxes, All May
! Cut Both Ways.
GOy.MILLER VERY STRONG
Calder, Hearst, AL Smith, Koc-
i. nig's Machine and Other
Subjects Discussed.
BY LOUIS sEIBOLD.

encouraging the professionals OF es-
tablished and potential political parties
10 set up the machinery for tie State,
county and Congressional elections.
The Democrats usually get busy
along about Jackson's day in January
but the Republicans curb their activi-
ties until the birthday of the immortal
Lincoln Almost every candidate for
State, county and national, as well
as local. legislative Office will PROFOUND
the philosophy Of the martyred Presi-
dent at national and State capitos to-
day, as we'll as in tie humblest hamlet
In the land.
Many an aspirant for political hon
crs has talked his way toward a nomi-
nation at Lincoln celebrations in the
past. 1t is not improbable that some
of those who will make the political
welkin ring in praise of Lincoln to-
Gay will get a running start toward
The goal of their ambitions, as it were.
The leaders of both of the>older par
ties throughout the nation agree that
precedent. The more candid of them
admit that all of the old signs and por-
tents are OF little value in determining
the trend of public mind. They further
soncur in the opinion that the disturbed
Business and social conditions have not
Alpon which either party would ordi-
lnarily feel Justified in inviting popular
support.
Standing on It's Record.
: Opportunism born of the turmoil over
,incidents instead Of issues seems to be
the only controlling influence in shaping
the course Of candidates for public office
The Republican party. both in the ma
don and several States, is compelled to
stand on the record made by its repre-
yentatives in office. The nearest ap-
proach the Democrats have in mind is
that of opposition to the program Of
The party In power.
Criticism rather than constructive pro-
posals to offset the Republican record
emphasize the lack of initiative among
The Democrats. They have nothing to
offer as substitute for the Republican
plans even on the ground that their own
suggestions are almost as good" as the
Republican undertakings.
.~ In a national sense the chief interest
of course, is centered in the contest for
thirty-two seats in the Senate and the
435 in the House of Representative
(which must be filled in November. In
tf-ese contests the record of the Harding
administration and that written by his
party in Congress will furnish munition
stc both sides.
( The Republican leaders at Washington
fully appreciate the difficulty which will
confront them in attempting 10 Justify
the tremendous majorities given to their
candidates In the Presidential election
two years ago. Undesirable business
conditions resulting from necessary
processes of dehation have unquestion-
sbly inspired a revolt of far-reaching
consequences to the candidates who will
make their bid for popular support in
ale coming election.
The refusal OF the Republican major
fty in Congress to accept the definite
plans % the Administration in the bonus,
the tariff. the tax, and the war funding
projects has brought about a situation
that confessedly alarms the leaders OF
the party Of which President Harding
tr the titular leader. The vast business
Interests of the country reaching into
every grade and degree of AGRICULTURAL
and industrial ventures, not only refuse
&c express admiration for the economic
policies OF the majority in Congress, but
,or the contrary to vigorously express
disappointment over them.
Bonus Bill Arouses storm.
No Congressional project in many
years has aroused a greater storm of
protest as the proposal to pass a bonus
bill demanding n minimum of $500, 000,-
600 for immediate use without an intel
1igcnt plan for developing sources of
Income to provide 1t. Yet DESPITE the
unpopularlty of the suggestion members
of Congress who must run for office this
year have been stampeded in favor of
~ by threats Of reprisal cleverly nrceIer-
ated by the organized minority of ex-
service men.
IL is possible that the expanding wave
of resentment against the wholly illog-
fcal bonus plan may convert the poten-
tial candidates for office to revise their
estimates as TO the consequences OF
their folly. The chief consolation of the
Senator's and Representatives who must
stand for reelection is that the bonus
project viii have the support of both
Democrats and Republicans The ex-
pcrts concede the strategic value Of tho
Democratic scheme Of forcing their Re-
publican rivals to put through the bonus
plan. when the fact OF the matter Ia
thet the Democratic leaders manifest
little enthusiasm for II.
The combined Influence Of organized
rropaganda demanding the bonus raid
on an empty Treasury and the Demo-
cratic strategy have had the effect OF
subordinatlng every other policy of the
Harding Administration to the bonus
issre, If such Il can be called Members
of Congress who manifest little interest
Rs TO tho source of income to pay the
bonus bill frankly admit that they ex-
rect 20 make their bid for popular sup
E..... on their surrender TO the organ-
fzed demand for it They do not ap-
tear 20 attach any great amount of inn
partance 60 the unorganizod protests
showering on the Capitol in Washing
1on from all classes OF citizens who al
ready feel the pinch of oppressive tax
Ation and who are highly indignant over
The prospect OF having TO shoulder even
more staggering burdens.
The bonus issue promises to figure
tthtc as actively in the Congressional
tainpaigu. IN New York State as in ali