Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-21
BY ROBERT T. A
,ecial CorresesndeRt Of Great Falls Tribuae
1879 nv The Great Falls Triha,ns

Copyright. 1877. by The Great Falls Tribune
Washington, Aug. 19.-Republican
leaders are becoming not a little wor-
ried over the frequency of reports
emanating from sources more Or. less
close to the president that Mr.. Hard
ing is determined not to stand for re-
nomination in 1924. ~
Most of the leaders are inclined to
attribute the reports to a temporary
dent and believe that when the pres
ent tangled condition. of national af-
fairs is Strengthened out, Mr.. Harding's
optimism will assert itself and he will
consent to run for reelection.
A feeling that the president has not
been wholly happy in the White House
has permeated Washington for some
time. Now there is a reaction through
out the country. The report reached
Ohio during the primary fight, and it
was thought it might affect the admin
istration ticket headed by Carmi
Thompson, but the administration
sweep was complete.
The president for several weeks past
has been palpably tired and sensitive
to criticism. The presidency has been
more combining than he ever dreamed
it might be. For many years prior to
the election in 1920, Mr.. Harding had
led very much of an outdoor life, being
equally fond of golf and motoring.
Afcusfomad IN nutdoors
As a senator he was able to live
a great deal in the outdoors, for dur
ing four years of his term he was in
a minority which had very little to
say or do.
A man of simple manners and SIM
pie tastes. the president unquestion-
ably has chafed under many of the
| restrictions that life in the White
House imposes. 1t often has been
said of Mr.. Harding that if he could
have had his way he would have spent
the remainder of his active days in
the senate. He was extremely happy
there and it was with no little reluct-
ance that he consented to allow his
friends to place him in the running for
the presidential nomination in 1920.
More than once during hte pre-con-
~vention campaign Mr.. Harding was
lhousht VI III tiaWlhS SIatt ahN
! centering his activities upon matters
in relation to the senate. 1t will be
recalled that on the night before his
nomination in Chicago he filed hsi SEN
atorial primary papers in Columbus.
Even at that late hour there fingered
in his mind the question as to the
right curse to pursue. The whirlygig
of fate soon decided that question for
him and once nominated he entered
into the campaign with the somewhat
solemn enthusiasm of a man who felt
the cares Of the presidency already
full upon him.
that Mr.. Harding had told some of
his friends he would decline to stand.
for denomination two years hence. all
of his utterances both public and pri-
vate, have been searched for some
further revelation of his state of
mind. The politicians profess to have
found much in confirmation of the
earlier reports. They point OF the
presidents speech during old home
week in Marion. His friends in Ohio
found that Mr.. Harding did not speak
of his experiences in the White House
with any degree Of citation. Instead.
he publicly stated he would he glad
indeed when the time came that he
might return to Marion and enjoy the
freedom of life a So private citizen.
Not once did the president intimate
that he was having a bully time in
the White House.
Remarks Called Indication
Since the Marion trip he has let fall.
either inadvertently or purposely, a
number of remarks. insignificant in
themselves. perhaps. but which taken
col ectively. appear 10 reflect a dis
tinct frame Of mind. To some of his
senatorial friends the president is re-
ported to have said that nothing could
induce him to give fou more years of
his life to the presidency. Some sena-
tors have taken the remarks seriously:
others say the president was merely
Joking.
On top of all this. the president sent
to Leonard Kincaide, a Terre Haute.
Ind. high school boy who said he hoped
some day TO be president, a letter in
which he said:
II am afraid you would not like my
job as much as you think you would.
1t is not as happy a job as n would
imagine"
While they profess to treat the pres
ident's remarks lightly, the republican
leaders. nevertheless, are figuring upon
what they might do in the event Mr..
Harding is serious and really will not
stand for denomination
Some of the old timers simply will
not listen to the idea that the presi-