The New York herald., 1922-05-13

"as good a hater'' as Mr.. Wilson.
Some of his Congressional colleagues
actually express admiration for his re-
fusal to be discouraged by the opposi-
ton OF Mr.. Wilson. Reports from
Missouri portray him as having taken
off his coat, enlisted the services of a
circus tent, supplemented with a brass
band. and carrying his fight to the
country districts. 500
According to the same advices Mr..
Reed will not dodge the issue with
Mr.. Wilson. but will have some very
pointed things to say about the latter
before he gets through.
Beyond expressing his disapproval
of the Missouri Senator, Mr. Wilson
has not made "a move to date that
would indicate either his desire or de-
termination to appeal to the voters Of
other States for the political chastise-
ment of other members Of his party
who opposed some of the policies to
which he attached the greatest i'm
portance. notably the League of Ma
ticns.
Ohio and Nebrask Contests.
The characteristic vigor, lucidity
and terseness with which he expressed
his opinion of the rebellious Mr. Reed
has provoked concern among the sup
porters of at least two Democratic
Senators who are soon to come up for
denomination. These are Senators
Pomerene of Ohio and Hitchcock of
Nebraska. who did not function to the
complete satisfaction of Mr.. Wilson in
the League of Nations controversy.
If Mr.. Wilson has any intention of
asserting his leadership over his party
in the Nebraska and Ohio contests he
has not up to date indicated it.
Those leaders who held the opinion
that the long and unbroken period of
inactivity on the part of Mr.. Wilson
was dictated by physical reasons have
been compelled to revise their judg-
ment. They now have the very best
reason for realizing that Mr.. Wilson is
quite capable of passing judgment
upon political candidates and able to
express himself with both force and
directness.
He has neither invited condolences
fl ON the subordinate party leaders nor
made suggestions as to the proper
policies to pursue. But they have no
doubt that if occasions similar to that
in the Reed case should arise he will
be on hand to point the way to Demo
cratic advantage.
Some Democratic leaders of the sec
ond and third rank who attack on the
floor of Congress policies that were
very dear to the heart of Mr.. Wilson
realize that he is the nearest approach
to leader of which their party can
boast. Whether he entertains respect
for the traditions that automatically
invest a Presidential candidate with
the title if not the authority of leader
they do not know. Consequently his
views regarding the reported ambition
or Mr.. Cox to exercise the role OF
leader are not known to them.
The test Of Mr.. Wilson'S leadership
will not come until he personally elects
to assert it, if he should ever care to
do so. There is no question that any
move in this direction by him would
attract to his support tremendous
following. A scrutiny of existing con-
ditions in the party. however, war
rants the statement that any gesture
Of this kind would also provoke a
great deal of opposition to him.
In the discussion of legislative
projects involving political differences
many Senator'S and Representatives
o. Mr.. Wilson's party have displayed
scant respect for some of the policies
set up by him during his undisputed
control of the national organization.
Whether this Indifference, If not out
right opposition, to the measures to
which Mr.. Wilson attached great i'm
portance has pleased or displeased him
Is matter of conjecture. He made
no attempt to influence the decision
OF the Representatives OF his party In
the Senate in the discussion of the
treaties negotiated by the armament
conference. Vague statements as to
Mr. Wilson's view made by some Of
the Democratic Senators who chal-
lenged and voted against these treaties
did not carry conviction.
His failure to support the attitude Of
Senators Underwood and Williams.
who were always consistent champions
of his policies, was construed by the
majority of Democratic Senators as
rejecting disapproval. One opinion
was as good as another.
With Mr.. Wilson left out Of the
Democratic situation, that now exists,
there is no leadership of the party in
either house of Congress. The extent
of Mr.. Bryan's influence was pretty
clearly established by the indifference
with which his suggestions regarding
the treaties were received.
Paid No Attention to Bryan.
The second and third rate Demo-
cratic leaders now running amuck paid
not the slightest attention to the thrice
defeated party candidate for the Presi-
dency. Most of the Democratic Sena-
tors and Representatives seem to glory
in the fact that they will not follow
their appointed leaders.
Senator Underwood is the titular
leader of the party in the upper house
and Representative Garrett (Tenn.)
the acting leader in the lower house.
Yet neither exercises any actual power
over the decisions of his party asso-
ciates. Wilson policies, which were
held sacred couple OF years ago, are
fiouted in debates over pending meas
ures.
Several Democratic Senators appear
to take delight in attacking the Fed
eral Reserve system, which even Re-