The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-03-19
HARDING FACES .
HARD PRObLEMS.
| AS He RESUMES
Return to White House Finds
Many Questions 70 6s
Settled.
BY GEORGE r. HOIAlE6,
IAtssnationsl News nsrvtse,


A bulky budget Of trouble ~ on
the doorstep OF the White House
last night awaiting the return OF
President Harding from F1eri1a.
In II reposed q Legislative los 5ams
q threatened Congressional revolt,
an almost certain nationwide coal
strike In two weeks, . neaErOw In
the Cabinet and . dosen or 20 minor
matters OF discord. all requiring
Executive attention.
The existing situation - admit
teddy the most difficult that has
confronted President Harding since
he came ito the White House . year
ago, and II was predicted by Repub-
leans and Democrats alike today
that . "showdown" 10 imminent in
several directions that win call into
play al Of the Presidents rnediatory
powers to preserve party harmony.
An additional complication II the
fsct that Congress u getting FESTIVE
1t the delays. encountered and pros
psctive,
Fences Nesd MsnAins.
The fall elections are seven months
away. and there are political fences
that need mending.
A half -dozen OF the Prcsidsnt's
most serious problems, which re-
Quire Immediate attention are:
/. The bonus muddle.
2. The imminence Of nationwide
coal strike In both bituminous and
anthracite fields on April I.
3. Congressional determination to
cut both Army and Navy far below
the figures Get by the War and Navy
Departments a. the m.nimLms.
4. The inter-departmental row
caused by the proposed transfer Of
the Bureau Of Forestry to the In
terror Department, and the transfer
Of the prohibition enforcement to the
Department Of Justice. and other
changes.
s. A division Of opinion in the Re
publican party over the advisabflity
of passing tariff legislation before the
fall elections.
8. Growing opposition, headed by
farmer and labor interests In Con-
gress, to the Administrators ship
subsidy plan.
In addition to these. there still
exists some uncertainty about the
conference treaties. Apparently the
Administration commands sufficient
votes to ratify, but the margin OF
safety is 30 narrow that the shifting
of two votes might change the out
look in q twinkling. Aid Admins
tration leaders, while oufwardly con-
fident, are none too complacent about
the situation.
Talk to Harding.
Republican leaders at the Capitol
are going to lose no time in taking
their troubles to the White House.
The President gets back from his
Southern vacation this afternoon.
Tonight the perplexed leaders OF the
House are going to the Executive
Mansion en- masse In an effort to
clear the muddy waters In which the
bonus question has swan for the
last few weeks.
Close In the heels Of the bonus
handlers will come Congressmer
Madden and Anthony Of the House
Appropriations Committee, who have
the majority Of the House back OF
them I'm their efforts to cut down the
American army to 116.000 men and
the navy to below 10000. Secre
taries Weeks and Deny. with back
ing Of the general staff and the gen
eral board, will present solid oppo
sition to Congressional plans. and q
bitter struggle and probably bitter
feeling Ia certain either way.
The coal strike situation will be
dumped in the Presidents lap about
the same time. Secretary OF Labor
Davis returns to Warrington on
Monday. He will make q complete
report to the President Of his un
availing efforts to bring the opera
tors into limo for Q general wage
conferenCe