Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-09-03

f~iciently aroused to be determined to
get back at some one it is altogether
probable that they will undertake TO
do this at the polls.
Logical or illogical as it may be,
when the voters seek to register a pro-
test they invariably do it by voting
against those in authority. 1t matters
not whether the administration was
really in any degree responsible for
what happened, or whether 1t has pro-
ceeded carefully and wisely in an e1-
tremely difficult situation. The his
tory of politics in this country shows
that when the protest idea gets pos1
session of any considerable element or
the people it overshadows the real is
sues between the parties and the n
in power is in for trials and tribula-
tons. Accordingly. the leaders now
have their ears to the ground IN an ef-
fort to ascertain Just how formidable
q rumble of protest there is abroad in
the land.
Democrats Hope to Profit
In the circumstances the democrats,
of course, are hopeful that their party
will profit from the popular discomfort
over the labor situation and the man
ner in which it has been handled. They
reason that il the tide runs sufficiently
strong against the republicans 1t must
sweep some democrats into office, and
some of them are so optimistic as TO
say that it will not be necessary for
them to make much of q campaign this
year. "Sit tight and don't rock the
boat" is their slogan.
There is, however, a phase Of the
situation that bothers the thoughtful
men high in the councils of both re-
publicans and democrats. That is the
possible extent TO which the industrial
war has fomented radicalism and dis
satisfaction with both the old parties
and contributed to q new political
movement.
This is not of especial Importance
in so far as the elections this year are
concerned. but it does have q decided
bearing on the campaign two years
hence when the presidency will be at
stake. Unless the unexpected happens
there will be no third party movement
this fall, except possibly in an organi-
cation way. However. 1924 will see
at least one new party in the field,
and possibly two or more, and this is a
cause of concern to the leaders of both
the old parties. If the industrial
troubles have a tendency TO wean re-
publicans and democrats from their
present affiliations this fall the indie
pendents who are bent on forming a
new party that will do what the pro
gressives failed to do in 1912 will be
encouraged to redoubled efforts. and
already they are sufficiently active TO
alarm some Of the old timers.
1t goes without saying that Presi-
dent Harding is deeply interested in
the result of the congressional cleo
tons in November. Democratic gains
in the house and senate will be hailed
as a popular verdict against the Hard
ing administration. This may not be
wholly justified, but il the democrats
should gain control of either branch OF
congress the president will be greatly
handicapped in carrying through his
Legislative program and in making the
record upon which he will go before
the country as a candidate for a second
term.
No one doubts that Mr.. Harding de-
sires to be reelected, and 1t is gener-
ally conceded at this time that his
party will renominate him. However.
should the dreams of the democrats
come true and the elections this year
result in anything approxim ating a
democratic landslide, opponents of the
president within his own party might
decide to start a fight to make him a
one-termer.
The president has had to bear the
brunt of much of the criticism of the
manner in which the government has
dealt with the strike problems, so it Is
apparent that the political eonse-
quences of these disturbances is a mat
ter of Importance at the White House
as well as at the capitol.
IT. ,on,I :, u s;IL- hasa ySa q very