Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-10
Cracking the Party Mhip

he Republican party has a majority OF
twenty-four in the Senate and about
lI0 III the House. yet in the face OF these
figures President Harding found himself
confronted with the necessity OF inviting
party leaders in the two houses TO a White
House dinner 10 devise some plan for in
cFeasirg party efficiency in attending to the
work OF Congress. Measures which the adj
ADMINISTRATION deems vital 10 the public in
,erest are being delayed by group recaici-
tEaney, and il Is !oreseen that If these re-
calct!aut groups cannot be "beucvolently
2ssimiated" 50 Is TO respect the crack of
Inc party whip, the enactment of these
measures may be indefinitely delayed. if not
defeated.
The discussions lasted until after mid
night Saturday. with the result that de-
C.sioa was practical: reached on what was
described as two matters OF first Importance
;o-wit: early enactment OF a soldier bonus
Bill; eA.iy assembling OF 4 Republican SEN
axe conference 10 reconcile any differences
which may be found 70 exist in party coun-
cas- oTer tie form 10 pc given legislation
:cE !@tcad!ag allied debts 1t was agreed
That bc.2s and rounding legislation were
.Iis.ccnLecte1- Is the funds 20 meet bonus
requirements vou!d have TO be derived from
interest FzEms-:s q. The allied debts
IN tas -z.;s. .: securing party solidarity,
..i,hoC. T1.ch IL Lop43-tor working Ell.
c!sley N :--Tl=-5-E ;hs party legislative
program. e.i ~ % forthcoming. the Presi-
cei-i e'.at=t aAz customary iimidity about
s=i2i1g ,as -s.== q leadership and driving
i9F tsEu..s .-=,a&- NJ indicated his view
tAat eo.Er==s-3La. members themselves
sho-.d furnish ,T.@ leadership and basis for
-sreea.eIIs- particularly upon formulating
policies, t-t expressed desire 20 cooperate.
TIE suggestion OF Secretary Weeks that
iae debated Questions Should be thrown into
Es-:y czlccs II bolh houses. and that ,is,
u-l;cE!ty. having 90 developed its own views.
sa1211 proceed 10 enact legislation accord
l1Z.y, forcing !@caieitr4nts into line. was
'.Eorousiy protested as = Kind OF force that
NgLid defea; its ON purpose. as it would
ez-ss IctE2bs-s not untr!entiy 10 the ad liu-
station but VINO II t-!e.T group activities
az simply supporting demands for iegis-
-zli3h on tia par, Of their constituents
which, II not favored would mean their no
!;iiSz! rndo;ng. 10 cooperate with the small
group Of distinctly hostile members whose
cs:-Aiie purpose IS 70 annoy the administra-
t.o-- On the whole while the leaders an
PEAR 70 nave reached agreement among
themselves ag to future procedure on The
t"e measures indicated il is by 40 means
certain That their decision viii command the
sopror, expected when the program is sub
a!t-s6 10. approval 20 thoge who have here
iofP!e asserted their Independence of party
o-cLation in respect TO legislation which does
not md favor with their constituents.
III: filuation presents great opportunity
iof Democratic leadership. bu, unfortunately
me minority seems unable TO take advantage
D. the opportunity for the reason that so
tar II has developed no aggressive. cons.ruc-
;iTe leader capable Of captalizing the mis-
~Ass of Tie opposi;ion by creating effective
Organization within rs own ranks.