The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-07-15
Maelstrom OF
Grave Problems
Engulf Harding
Nv DAVID LAWRENCE
(Copy-!ght by Tho IntelliBencer)

Washington, July ,-M'uSuH'sneE -
bringing an unexpected climax IN ths
Harding administration. The VISIT OF
senator Lodge. the Republican leader
20 the white House today accsntuated
,he tangled condition OF affairs which
far from giving The administration
rummer Of vacations and lasSitude such
aS Reouhltcans were wont 10 have In
pre-war days OF norwalcy has erouSht
a naelstrom OF worries and unsolFed
problems.
Senator Lodge talked With the exc
eutive for a half hour. The object OF
his errand was 10 tell Mr.. Harding tnas
many Republicans would like 10 slde-
track the ship subsidy bill and do sun
dry things with reference 70 the tarin
and the bonus on which Mr.. HardinBs
advtsa vas desiraois. The president
knev from the newspaper accounts OF
ths Republican conference held during
his absence IN Marion just what are
the plans Of the leaders so ne pleaded
excessive work on the rail- and coat
strike situations as legitimate reason
FOR declining 70 enter into discussion
at this time on the legislative situation.
Practically all the time Mr.. Harding
has been back from Marion has been
consumed in either the railroad or coal
situations and he hasn't had an oppor-
tun!ty to check up by personal confer
encs with friends on capitol hill to
learn Just what is the situation.
Unparalleled Congestion.
The congestion Of problems ts almost
unparalleled. It looks more like war
,:ne hero than peace-time. The coal
operators and miners are mulling over
The presidents proposed for arbitration
by commission. The railroad situation
Is getting worse. Marshals and deputy
rarshals are unable TO prevent disorder
and federal troops are being held In
readiness for action Mr.. Harding has
tried 10 be deliberate and patient. There
are those who think he should have In
sisted upon immediate acceptance or re
lection Of tre plan he offered TO the
coal miners and operators and threaten
ed action by congress as a possible solu-
ton n the parties didn't agree. The
delay given in considering the plan Of
the president has resulted IN :he In
eHtahle raising OF obstacles are bar
risrs In both camps.
Muss Assert Authority.
Delay morsovsr IA dts7stchins fesaral
troops to trouble areas on the railroads
may prove injurious judging from the
pleas coming from affected zones. The
government has been loath 10 intervene
with the full weight OF its authority
but the situation is rapidly compelling
such step.
Aside from the critical developments
IN the rail and coal strikes the entire
legislative program on which the Re-
publican party had expected 70 go 10
the country IN the autumn elections IS
IN Jeopardy. Mr.. Harding wants elias
t!city in tarin-makins so as 70 make
the schedules conform to inevitable
CHANGES In economic conditions Re-
publicans are themselves divided on the
merits OF various schedules either now
beInS debated or as Vet not formally
before, the senate Mr.. Harding may
have to be the srbiter OF these differ
ences Some OF the disputes are so
serious that many Republicans would
prefer 20 sidetracG the tariff until after
the elections.
Bonus Agitation.
The agitation for 4 soldier bonus Law
Is undIur lnished and tho champions OF
the measure want TO see action no
matter what happens to the tariT On
top OF this Is the ardent desire OF the
president 70 put through the ship sub
s!dv bill as a constructive achievement.
Mixed up in the problem Is the wet and
dry night over the sale OF liquor on
government vessels outside the three
mile limit The house OF representa-
tives 10 In recess uotll August 18th
waiting for the senate 70 pass the many
bills already acted upon by the house.
Should the members OF the lower house
come back and md little achieved since
they left the capitol the discussion over
the senate delays IS bound 10 grow.
Opportunity for Lsesdersh1p,
Opportunities for decisive action and
aggressive leadership on the part OF the
CHIEF executive are numerous Congress
Is drifting along lines OF least resist
snce n II could have It's way IL would
Patch up the tariff bill hastily. pass the
bonus and adjourn by September nrst
TO give time for campaigning. The
president has said he would call con-
grsss into extra session at once II II
failed 10 act on the ship subsidy mea-
sure He cannot afford 20 retreat ard
his rsrty does not dare 10 administer a
defeat 70 his leadership just before the
elections IN which the whole Republ-
can party will again ask ror support.
Administration Climax.
Industrial strife. political disaTection.
legislative tangles. midsummer temper
srures all combine TO bring the climax
Of the administration not quite two
years after It's election. Primary re-
suits are being analy sized TO discover
national trends but without attempting
10 say what the future holds in store
politically the facts ot todsy's crisis
force the conclusion that the Harding
administration will BE- made or broken
on pha, II does In the next three or
foor weeks Of It's political life.