Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-12-22
Washington, d. c., Dec. 1s.-One
BY FREDERIC !. HAsKIE

Washington, d. c., Dec. 19.-One
of h classic tales Of Washington
newspaperdom is that of the manag-
ing editor who wired his correspond
ent here one night, There is some
thing in the air rush 1000 words"
The editor had a hunch-a feeling
that q big news story was about to
break-and the tale has it that'he was
right . His correspondent having
been warned to be on the alert and
get busy, did some digging and turned
up a worthwhile SCOOP.
Just now there is something in the
air, politically. Party leaders jim
Washington have the same sort of
~premon:tion that the editor. had. They
have the feeling that something is
about to happen-a new leader or q
new idea is about to- appear, or a
change is to be made in the way the
game of politics is played. There is
to be a new party, or a realignment
within the old parties. That Shadowy
yet very rea and altogether powerful
, to demand something or do something.
Events impend. The atmosphere is
electric with portent. The. barometer
is rising or falling or doing some dir
Tying stunt.
In consequence there is uneasiness
and disquietude among the statesmen
and near-statesmen. - They don't
know whether to take to the cyclone
cellar or go out and try to make>hay.
They cant tell whether 1t is raining
rain or violets-they are not ven sure
it is raining or about to rain. They
only know that they have that vague.
indescribable feeling not unlike the
graveyard feeling SO familiar to the
small boy.
When managing editors feel that
way they send, cryptic messages to
correspondents or issue orders that
send the members of the local staff
out to demonstrate that they possess
what lis known as "a nose for news
When statesmen get .thei feeling they
put their airs to the ground. There
fore 1t may be said without extreme
extravaganza that the ground around
these parts is covered with ears, ven
as the frost Is carpeted with autumn
leaves come the first killing frost.
Staid senators and shrewd congress-
men, are distrait-here but not pres
ent. Cabinet dignitaries have the
strained look that comes with the use
OF q mediocre radio outfit-they
hearken but they hear not.
1t Is even said that a. certain prize
Airedale has recognized distinctly on
several occasions a strange preoccu-
pied note lin his masters voice and
that the White House Victrola-if
There. is a White House Victrola-now
and then plays that old record, Il
Wonder What the Folks Back Home
! Are Thinking"
Party Managers Nervous.
Party managerA are nervous and
suffer from insomnia or talk In their
sleep. Despite all their public state"
ments it d apparent that they really
are at a loss to interpret the results
of the recent elections. They know
what happened, but they can not ex-
plain it. Republicans, Democrats,
progressives, drys; vets, conservatives
Llaborites, rfarmerites--all of them are
more than a bit puzzled by that In
tangible burt rortentous something
lin the air. and every one of them
Is anxious to be the first to get q line
ON what Is about to happen. and beat
the others to It. IS s43.
That is the test>of leadership-to bs
able to discern the reform proposal
or the issue to which tho public mind
fpresentp Will react most ryfay6rablyi
andhto adopt It for ones self Jpr ones
party. or group. The easiest WayStol
accomplishing this. If one sydokS moi
possess the prescience OF absolute pc;
litical genius u toS put out 4s.feelers,a'
which means propose something
NEW I'm a legislative way and Their
wait to see whether the plain people
1cry for II, or dare you to. try It.
The late Colonel Roosevelt was g
lpAst master Of this when he walss Il
anew idea before the people that war
Innf n ut1 = lIniHS kyl amp Il ~ . hia cNh&nrn