The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-10-14

dency on Wave of Enthusiasm for WI
sons Policies - Southern California
Pleased With Hardins's Bonus Veto.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial Dispatch to The Reformer.)
Copyright 1922.
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 1.-THE Hard
ing administration is popular in Southern
California. There is little question about
it. Such waves of criticism as have
swept the East have not reached the
Pacific coast. Ask the average man what
he thinks of the Harding administrator
and he looks at you with quizzical ex-
preston on his face as if to say, well
if there's anything wrong with it, l
haven't noticed it"
This is typically western. Even in
March 1920, when the East was begin
ming to pile high its grievances against
the Wilson administration the writer
found a noticeable difference of attitude
and mind toward the Democratic presi-
dent than in the East When of course
the autumn of 1920 was at hand, the
wave had struck and then was almost
intense dissatisfaction out here as in
OJler parts OF the country.
Possibly it is the distance, possibly it
is because the newspapers are not so
partisan. possibly it is the breadth of
mind and tolerant spirit of the West, and
then again it may be the effects of pre-
occupation. for THESE people are busy
building a wealthy empire-but anyhow
whatever may be the reason Warren
Harding would get real reception if he
came west.
Business Men Like Him.
Among business men the President is
just now particularly strong. His veto
Of the bonus bill made him solid with that
element. 1t is recognized that the Presi-
| dent had an awkward problem to handle.
A Republican congress had passed the
| bill by an overwhelming vote and the
strength of the eX-service politically was
and is no small consideration. To have
! vetoed the bin and stood by bis cOnvic-
! tions won the respect of many who
wanted to see him sign the bill.
Another outstanding reason for Mr..
Hardings popularity with the business
men is his attitude toward labor. 1t Is
conceded that he made mistakes. 1t Is
admitted that his first proposal TO restore
seniority rights unmpaired to the rail
road shopmen savored a good deal of the
trucking spirit which brought down Goals
of hot criticism on the head of Woodrow
| Wilson when he forced the Atkinson
| law through congress. but the latter po-
Sition adopted by Mr.. Harding IS what
won his support of business men-his
readiness to protect men who did not ac-
| cent Jobs in place of the strikers and his
| instructions to Attorney General Daugh-
! erty to press for an injunction against
| those liable to commit acts of violence.
| Labor in Northern California, is, of
/ course. up in arms against both the at
torney general and President Harding
/ Southern California has had its share of
| labor troubles and is glad Mr.. Harding al
| least did not encourage those who were
! leading the labor army in America.
4 Hoover Stronghold.
| 1t must not be forgotten that this is a
| Hoover stronghold President Harding
selection of the former food admins
| traitor TO be a member of the cabinet was
/ hailed with delight and as a defiance OF
| Senator Hiram johnson who has been
| steadily losing ground in this part of the
| state. Mr. Harding's alliance with Mr.
| Hoover truly won the confidence oi
Southern California and when the people
hear tales of the President leaning
| heavily on the advice of his secretary OF
commerce. it naturally pleases them anG
| holds the progresSives in line
But if the Republican state of mind
| about tie Harding administration is one
of complacency, the same cannot be SAID
| of the Democratic politicians. They ad
nit that very little of the eastern dis
| satisfaction with the Harding admins
| tration has reached here but they are
mittee for the aforesaid dissatisfaction il