New-York tribune., 1922-12-09
Speech, Opening New
Phase Of Administration
Policy, Hailed in Con.
gress as Ablest i'm Years
Expected to Force
Help of Liberals
Drys and Farm Bloc Are
Jubilant; Rural Credit
Legislation Held Sure

Fr0f1 Tho Jribusss WdiHa0fon buredu
WASHINGTON, Dec. s.-President
Harding's message delivered to Con-
gress to-day marks. in the opinion Of
many observers here. n new phase OF
the Chief Executives relations with
Congress. Hereafter, according to
this thoo,y. the President will con-
tinue the big stick method which he
had already begun on the ship subsidy
measure.
The message met with highly favor
able comment in the Senate. Regular
Republicans hailed the document as
an exceptionally strong ono and some
Of them privately declared the pro-
gressive bloc would find itself obliged
TO line up for a number Of the recon-
mendations.
Democratic Senators found some
things 10 approve but more % disap-
prove. They were inclined 20 mini
mize the importance Of the message.
Ia Follette and Borah Mum
As 10 the progressive group, Sen
ators La Toilette and Borah declined
TO comment. The progressives as a
whole took sharp exceptions 20 some
Of the recommendation but approved
Of others. The emphasis laid on legis-
iation for agriculture met approval
among the progressives and the farm
bloc. However, IL was made entirely
plain that tho President cannot get
his railroad program through without
a head-on collision with the progress
sives and the farm bloc, who viii in
slsi on a thorough ovsrhauling Of the
transportation act with respect 70
ratc-making. Tho repeal or marked
notification of the rate-maklng provi-
sions OF the transportation act will be
.naiEted on by Senators Capper, La
Toilette, Brookhart and others OF the
progressive and farm bloc elements
At the same time the progressiycs wal
as rule hgEt the anti-sttike proposi-
tion.
The Presidents reference 70 other
paets Of the nature Of the four-power
pact drew keen attention, and there
was speculation as 20 how far he pur.
poses 10 carry the idea. Some looked
on Il as intended 10 pave the way 10
the calling Of another G eat interna-
tiOnal conference In Washington, 10
compose the affairs Of Europe. Any
such pan ns formation Of a new pact
taking In affairs In Europe, Il Is plain,
will meet opposition from some Of the
irreeoncilab es in the Senate. provided
il is attempted.
Interests League Baeker
Senator Walsh, Of Montana, refer
ring 70 the Allusion Of the President 10
making further use Of the principles
underlying the four-power pact, said:
That's rather interesting 20 a man
who believes in the League Of Nations"
Senator Sterling aid he considered
the reference 20 four-power pact
and application OF the same idea else
where as "hlghly significant" In gem
eral, Senator Sterling said he app owed
the message AID regarded 1t as excel
lent.
"I was impressed by what the Presi-
dent said on the Labor Board, on law
enforcement and agriculture including
credits" said Senator Sterling. The
reference 10 the four-power pact
seemed 20 me very significant"
Senator Pomorenc said the Presi-
dents reference 20 the four-power pact
confirmed what he had maintained r.
that the four-power pact was pocket
edition Of the Treaty Of Versailles"
at seems 20 be getting TO be bigger
edition." he said.
Senator Colt commended the message
as a whole. lie Is chairman Of the I'm:
migration Committee and Is inclined
20 20 sloEly in modifying the immigra-
tion laws.
Cummins Backs Rail Plan
Senator Cummins, chairman OF the
Senate Committee on Interstate Com
meree, supports the views Of the Pres
ident as 70 the chief features Of his
(coaunusd On ssSt pas'l