Evening star., 1922-03-05

his time to the trying problems of
the nation.
Il don't believe any of you have
fully understood the problems the
administration took up" declared
the chief executive. And when I
say that 1 am not critical. 4 am
not unmindful Of the fact that my
distinguished predecessor was i'll
and that the nation was adrift in
wars aftermath. The problem of
readjustment was infinitely more
difficult than any of you imagined.
Enjoys Contact With Press.
Beginning his extemporaneous
speech, President Harding, in re-
ferring to the achievements Of the
first year OF his administration,
said that he enjoyed himself
quite as much as any one of you.
IT is not hard" he added, "for me 20
adjust myself to the humor of the
rough-neck reporter. / have had
my day there. If I do adjust my
self to the seriousness of the ex-
ecutive it is because of my ex-
perience.
Then the President referred to
the fact that he desired the fu-
man contact, and that as a conse-
quence he found his days filled,
and. therefore. had difficulty keep
ing abreast of his task.
L never find my work done. l
find myself unable, however. to
keep aloof. One cannot be Presi-
dent and keep aloof. He would
not be fit to be President if he
did"
Indicating how fully his re-
Sponsibilities were bearing down
upon him and how much relief it
was to be plain folks" IL only
for few minutes, the President
remarked:
1t is good to come and forget
at such an event as this-to be
Just really human for a while"
Hard to Be Human.
IF there is anything wrong
VITA the White House job it is the
inability to be a human being"
he continued. and then to relieve the
tension he interjected: II am not
referring to any piece of legisla-
ton And there was an appre-
ciative wave of laughter.
There are many compensa-
tions," declared the President.
These are in effort to restore
order. to restore stability. maybe
in adding to the guarantee that
civilization comes with growing
aspirations and is being retained
and will be handed on to the gen.
erations of Americans to come"
Then disclaiming any idea OF
fattering the newspaper men as
semblcd around him, the President
said that the power of the press
was for great good. He referred
to them as the "molderS of pub
lie opinion"
Beyond all laws. public opinion
is the greater power" And he
again referred to the helpfulness
of the press.
"You and l together in reason
able simplicity and purpose can
make this government world
influence.
A symbol OF Security.
"If we can make it the sheet
anchor of modern democracy and
the symbol Of security throughout
the world; make it the expression
Of the aspirations of mankind
throughout the world: then we
shall have contributed to the cur
rent which keeps alive the great
stream of civilization"
Before going to the Press Club.
President Harding attended the
ninth annual celebration of the
founding of the Labor Department,
as the guest of Secretary Davis.
He shook hands with the several
hundred members of the depart
ment and in short talk expressed
his pleasure at being present.
Mr.. Harding was given an ova-
tion when he entered the Press
Club and his enjoyment of the in
formal exercises was apparent in
frequent smiles, which crept over
his face. A demonstration Of radio
telephony was in progress when
he arrived and the President join
ed the band of interested hearers.
Cake With One Candle.
At the conclusion of the demon
stration, Gus Karger. master of
ceremonies, brought forth a giant
bowl holding cake with one can
die burning. From the bowl he
slowly drew gifts symbolic he
said. of events in the first year Of
Mr.. Harding's administration. The
President smiled often during
presentation of the gifts.
Prior to the reception to the
President, the Press Clubs radio
phone was. dedicated. A prepared
elaborate program of music and
addresses sent out from the naval
air station in Anacostia was in
terfered with by static conditions.
w. c. Horn. representative of
the Westinghouse Electric and
Supply Company who installed the
radiophone, operated the machine
ana explained its mechanism. He
also outlined the fundamental
principles of wireless.
After Mr.. Harding concluded his
address. he remained at the club
for some time talking with the
newspaper men,.