The New York herald., 1922-01-06
PRESIDENTS DEFIED
BY LEADERS BLOC
Harding Asserts Power of Of
flee for First Time, but
Is Ignored.
PERIL TO FINANCES SEEN
Bipartisan Group, Declared a
Menace to Party Government,
to Continue Fight.
BY LOUIS sEIBoLD.

Special Dispatch to TIE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. n. c., Jan. 3.
The conviction that the promotion
of the agricultural bloc plan for con-
trolling and debating legislation will
result in incalculable injury to party
government to-day inspired President
Harding to assert his leadership for
the first time during his Administra-
ton.
Realizing the necessity for reach
ing more definite understanding be-
tween the executive and legislative
branches of the Government regard
ing the obligations Of his party to the
country, the first step taken by the
President was in the nature Of an
appeal for more complete coopera-
ton. The results of it do not appear
to have been as felicitous as he may
have hoped.
| Three Senators identified with the
bipartisan agricultural bloc which
purposes to shape national legisla.
tion to suit the agriculturists of the
country returned to the Capitol from
conference at the White House in
an unrepentant If not defiant frame
of mind. Their supporters in the ag
gressive minority to which they re
I ported the results Of their converse
tion with Mr.. Harding predicted that
the bloc would continue to function
irrespective of the wishes of the
titular leader of the Republican
party.
VIII Ignore Plea. They Say.
They did not appear to be particu-
larly concerned as to the consequences
of the arbitrary policy they have con-
structed to promote the special inter
ests of the agricultural element re-
cial, Industrial and commercial popu-
Iations.
On the contrary they declared TIE
appeal made by the President to Sena-
tors Kenyon Qowa). Capper (Kan.)
and Kellogg (Minn.). three Repub-
lican members Of the bipartisan bloc
would be ignored. The President re-
quested the cooperation of the three
Senators in suppressing the pending
resolution which directs the Executive
to name a dirt farmer as a member OF
the Federal Reserve Board when the
term of w. p. G.. Harding. the chair
man Of the board, expires next August
Tie President informed the Rcpuh-
lican members of the bipartisan bloc
that while he is IN full sympathy with
any and all legislation designed TO aid
| the farmers he does not view with
favor the organization Of groups com
mitted to the support OF class legis-
la,ion. He expressed the opinion that
such n policy would prove damaging
| to both the Republican party and tho
extensive business in this country
which, depend on 1t for fair and Inn
/ partial treatment.
President Talks Straight.
tie specifically pointed out the ur1-
desirable results of any attempt TO tic
his hands through the adoption or n
measure which makes II mandatory for
him to appoint the representative OF
any special interest on administrative
government boards which are intrusted
with safeguarding ali classes of business.
The president is said to have pointed
out to his Senatorial callers that tne
tremendous popular majority given 10
the party in 1920 was prompted by the
belief among the people that no special
4 consideration would be given TO claims
OF any particular class. To destroy this
impression, ne Is quoted ns having said
not only would add TO the many en-
barrassments caused by existing ousi-
ness conditions. but would reflect on the
I Republican party as wei. Further-
more. IL Is said the President strongly
intimated that lac would veto the meas
urc directing him TO appoint "dirt