The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-02-23
l. MIRRORS OF WASHINGTON .

=; The above u the title Of q recent book BY an
anonymous author, and consists Of brief wrte-ups
Of the prominent men at the nations capitol today.
One can hardly resist the feeling that the author
IS bit pessimistc if not cynical and we sincerely
hope that his estimate of the men who steer the
"ship Of State" IS not entirely correct. Il
He sees in President Harding "good fellow"
. man Of wonderful tact, possessing political adj
Ioitness," having a keen sense Of responsibility,
but lacking mentality. "Mr. Harding" he says,
"has the advantage Of knowing his limitations and
out Of the desire to reinforce himself he has
brought together the strongest cabinet w ashing-
ton has seen in generation"
He sees in the president democratic passion
for equality and reminds the nation that he is %
"just folks" but this again alarms the author, for
he fears that Mr.. Harding will some day betray,
% far as to address bis secretary of state 40
rCharley"
he sees in Mr.. Hughes the brains Of the admin.
istxaton, whose "head like book Of etiquette, is
full Of don'ts-diplomatic don'ts-a deduced from
Nh. Wilson'S experience" .,.r
M. Hoover, to the author, is q man Of small
genius for government, but 6ne personal adver-
tiser.s%; = !.
Henry Cabot Lodge, the 'tscholar in politics.
hasstor his chief characteristic "hatred for Wood
row Wilson and genius almost Of misunderstanding.
Ing, public sentiment. and whose thirty-fve years
OF service shows very little Of constructive states
manship .,..'.- = S.
Ia somewhat similar ways he describes the men
who are playing a role in American politics Gt
Washington, - '~S -.
Far be it from US to criticse book that has st.
tracted so much attention, but we say, again, we
cannot resist the feeling that tho brother (who by
the way, appears to be ashamed Of his non De
plume) has written pessimistically if not cyncsly.
There is always the tendency to idealize the past
and gorny its leaders. Even the sacred writer's
have done that There is also tendency to blame
the present and discredit the leaders. One very
easily recall how men blamed Lincoln and tried %
dlscredit his administration; how dangerously near
ne came to loosing the second nomination. Yet to- !
day it Is generally regarded that his adminstra- i
ton marks one Of the great epochs in American "
history. !
to as that it is entirely possible that the
present administration has great chance to be-
come outstanding. Tine will tell. In Mr., Har- !
dng's passion to be 'just folks"-who "boots" 1t !
If he should say Charley" in his willingness to !,
surround himself with great in his splendid
disposition to do team work Of quality sorely
needed in governmental affairs. "a
May we not find something to justify the belief
his may be another epoch-making administration;
an administration that will go 'the second mile" in
bringing universal peace, when men shall learn
war no more, Dut Will beat their Dig guns INTO plow
shares and their battleships into Fords. -
$sEG,f' 81 ~
ELECTRICITY. LEADS THE PROCESSION
The announcement by the Minnesota Electric
Light e Power company, that it will start extern
sion work toward our popular summer resort Sec
tions as soon as weather will permit is good news
for every man, woman and child in Ben,idji.
- This company, under the able management Of
Elmer F. Swanson, is fast gaining the confidence
Of the public. When Mr.. Swanson sets out to. do