The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-07

those who decry the primary system His feelings on the subject have not been brought about by the defeat of his closest friend, Senator New, de- spite the fact that he feels that de- feat very keenly. The President ex- pressed himself long ago in no un- certain terms as to what he re- garded the demerits of the primary system.
 Harding Striking Example
 Mir. Harding regards himself as a striking example of the fact that the primary system broke down com- pletely in a national sense when it came to selecting presidential eandi- dates in 1920. If the republicans at Chicago had been compelled to give the nomination to an aspirant having majority of instructed delegates chosen at primaries, Mr Harding would not have had a chance.
 MT. Harding did not have the means necessary to make nationwide campaign, and no man in primary system can afford to hide his light under bushel. It is contended by the anti-primary republicans that the immense amounts shown to have been expended in behalf of certain as pirants for the nomination In 1920 were proof in themselves of the un- desirab.lity of the system as at pres ent understood
 Inasmuch as the primary system grew up state by state. the fight against the primary will have to he waged in each separate common wealth.
 There is no purpose on the part of the anti-primary senators, repre- sentatives and administration offi- cials in Washington to rob MT. Bev- eridge of any of the glory of his splendid victory. They cannot re- frain from pointing out, however, that under a convention system. MT. New, with all of the influence and prestiage of the national administra- tion as well as the state organization behind him, would have had no diff ficulty whatever in obtaining re- nomination..
 Breaks Down Control
 It is President Harding's conten- tion that the convention system of nomination imposes greater party ob- legations on the candidate than the primary system ever can hope to do. The President believes that the pri- mary system breaks down party con trol and therefore seriously affects government by party. The United
 
 party, he asserts. and therefore gov ernment Is effective only insofar as party management and party disci- pline is effective. The President dwelt on the essentiality of party government in his first formal mes sage to the present Congress.
 Granting that we are funda- mentally representative popular government" he said. with political parties the governing agencies. I be- lieve the political party in power should assume responsibility, deter mine on policies in the conference election campaigns and then strive for achievement through adherence to accepted policy.
 Brings National Eminence
 There is vastly greater security immensely more of the national viewpoint, much larger and prompter accomplishment where our divisions are along party lines in the broad and loftier sense. than to divide geographically, or according to pur- suits. or personal following. For century and a third parties have been charged with responsibility and held to strict accountability. When they fail they are relieved of authority, d national eminence no less than a world example,"
 It is easy to understand, therefore. the concern the President feels over any system of primary selection or bloc" control which tends to break down party regularity and party discipline. He Is now, always has bean and always will be party man
 The anti-primary movement. there fore, has the Presidents influence squarely behind it. First efforts of the campaign will be directed at the eastern states. for they are not be- lieyed to be so firmly welded to the system as the west, whence the movement came.
 Meantime. other important pr.- maries are near at hand and if the "old guard" gets another setback, the anti-primary fight will be on In earn est and merry row will be In pros- pect.