The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-01-07
Root Of Whole Business.

The Presidents drive for solidarity has
behind it, however, something more than
q tendency to go along with the agrlcUl-
tural bloc in the hope of obtaining the
confidence of that group. 1t involves
much more than trying 10 make the con-
sentative eastern senator's swallow some
of the proposals OF the farming WeSt-a
Job which is perhaps the root of the whole
business. 1t does embrace Il program OF
political harmony without which even
Republicans admit they will lose control
next autumn Just rs surely as they lost 4
presidential election in 1912 through a
party split. Mr.. Harding is fighting now
to keep the Republican party together
Unless he effects a compromise at this
session. lie viii find himself confronted.
with the necessity of being between two
factions in his party in the presidential
contest of 1924 and the same elements
which brought a break 10 years ago will
menace Republican victory. ...
Mr. Harding's advisors who believe
congress ought not to be left drift along
aud that firm hand should be applied are
asking the President to propose a compro-
mise and then virtually read out of party
those who will not stand by. Congress
ionaI elections are only a few months
away. As rule senators and representa-
tveS begin then to cling to the coat-taIls
of the executive petitioning him for letters
of approval of their respective courses so
that constituencies containing a big Re
publican vote may be impressed with the
necessity Of returning the Republican
candidate to congress But Mr.. Harding
has heSitated to use the supreme weapon
at his command He is not making
threats even though he knows full well
that in any contest at this time over
party regularity. he would probably win
in a walk The difficulty IS just as much
with eastern conservatives as western
radicals ANY compromise is a give-and
take proposition and not absolute sur
render Most of the fasteners who have
been making faces at the agricultural
bloc and heaving all sorts of criticism on
it refuse even to examine the causes of
the movement The administration Knows
full well that group OF American sena-
tors particularly some of those like Messrs
Kenyon and Capper. would not risk the
harmony of the party unless something
| fundamentally strong impelIed them to do
So They must know that their cOnstitu-
anceS approye-and if large sections of
the electorate stand behind these sena-
| tors. what then can the administration
do to meet the agricultural demand:
Agricultural Conference. $50. -.
| One answer iias already been given by
| the administration in the call by Secre-
| tary Wallace for an agricultural confer
ence. Mr. Wallace comes from Iowa.
| whence comes also Mr. Kenyon one of
ling in his cabinet a man who, knows the
Horticultural West as well as secretary
| Wallace. it is natural that Mr.. Harding
| should find himself converted to some eS-
tent to his secretary : way OF thinking
5! This accounts for Mr.. HaTding's tendency
/ to try a compromise. lie believes he
knows the spirit of the agricultural move
ment but lie asks that the agriculturahstS
outline exactly what they do want. They
| win have their ehences at the meeting
called BY Mr.. Wallace ..
| The drive for 4 compromise is inits
| opening stages. It will continue during
fhe next few weeks to he the central
theme of governmental Efforts for lire
snective of the agricultural demand for
affirmative results. negative effects are al
ready apparent in the blocking of needed
legislation wanted by the east, particular
IN business men and bankers who also
| feel that their demands must be met in
order to- bring about ail iHdn trial re-
t.gival.sas1 'yoi a1rel tGa - so e..na {.
zsest.f {. =.