Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-19
The STEEL DINNER

NOTHING could he funnicr than the cN-
~ citcm"nt caused in Washington and in
editorial sanctums elsewhere by the news
that President Harding had invited the cap
tnins and generals of the steel industry to
dinner. Had Mr.. Harding asked u group
of House and Senate leaders TO dine no one
would have thought anything of it. II
platoons of diplomatists were seen unfolding
napkins at the White House table WASH
ington would have looked on romplaccntly
and there might have been a line or two in
the news to tell Of the progress of our new
diplomatic policy. business men. however,
continue 10 be suspect in Washington That
'hey have more 10 do in the movement
toward prosperity than either. .polticians or
foreign diplomatists: that they have to do
the actual work necessary TO the further
comfort and welfare Of the country does
not matter in their favor. What in the
world could the President be thinking about:
Whats this. what's this?' demanded the
Democrats in anger and alarm
inc leading Democratic organs were uuirk
10 answer. Mr.. Harding WAS "luring'' big
business men back into tn" Republican fold.
He was seeking contributions for the Na.
ticnnl Republican Committee. Ilc was
making apologies in private for some of the
progressive tendencies that have been an.
parent within his party. 1.-The Department
srnvely, ''is following n hands off policy in
relation to the steel mems dinner
\ few Washington correspondents who
had no hymns of hate to sing over the wires
NIT what is plainly the simple truth when
they reported that the President wanted TO
taik I" the steel men intimately about some
aspects of their business which in his
opinion. might properly be improved. and
about other things which business may bo
ahi" TO do for the general good Of the United
H'at"S. IL IS easy to imagine that a little
straight talk from the President NAV do
more at any time for progressive economic
policy than years of congressional probes
me Psychology of Congress is such that
House and Senate committees must ,,mnut
always assume attitudes Of attack when any
question relative 70 doubtful industrial poli-
'icS Is put to big business men Almost
ever! formal inquiry in Washington there
tore begins as Il conflict rather than as an
effort TO get at the truth and do importiaI
justice.
'"'oncl Roosevelt knew the value of thc
informal discussion. He used it freoucutlv
ana ottrn got swiftly over ground that had
proved httie but morass to legislative COM
mitt"rs OF investigation 1t is known that
. President Harding is not satisfied with cmrs
rent aspects Of labor conditions in tho stceI
industry. lie doesn't believe in thc tvc,vo.
hoIr day. The steel business is tbo b,si. ~,
Mih'h hundreds of other industries rcst
Mergers and prices in the steel business
naturally can hav" n whole train Of good or
hhd reactions. Whatever the lenders of rho
steer industry do must have an instant effect
nI"n the cost of railroad upkeop and opero.
non SO 1t Is not strange that the prcsiden,
irit inpelled TO ger Il closeup of the minis
OF men VINO exert So powerful an influence
IN ms country. II would have been strange
II he had not had such a desire,