The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1922-02-17
PRESIDENT DECIDES
Senator Lodge Was Put in En-
barrassing Position When
the Leviathan Contract Was
Given to Virginia Company
Instead of New England
Concern, Bonus Opposed.
(By David Lawrence.)
Copyright, 1922, by The Daily
TiV,ooc

Times.)
Washington, Feb. 15.-President
Harding has just made two brave
decisions which, irrespective of any
thing else that may happen to his
political fortunes, stand out as mile
stones in his career.
To turn down his personal friend
and political associate, Senator Henry
Cabot Lodge, on a matter that means
much to the chances of Mr.. Lodge
for reelection this fall was to do
something which few Presidents have
had the courage to do. To turn down
the almost unanimous demand Of his
party associates in Congress for eth
er bond issue or series of direct
taxes to raise money for soldier
bonus was also no simple matter.
Both decisions have been based up
on what Mr.. Harding himself admits
were the inexorable laws of business
and sound finance as against the will
of politics and special favor.
Briefly, Senator Lodge was put in
an embarrassing position by some
voters in his constituency who saw no
reason why the Boston Navy Yard
with $500 workers should not get
the benefit of the work to be done
in reconditioning the former German
liner Leviathan. Mr.. Lodge was per-
suaded to introduce an amendment to
pending appropriation bill which
would have compelled the United
States Shipping Board to let the con-
tracts to navy yards and to disregard
the bids already made for the work
by private firms. The Senate adopted
the amendment but President Hard
ing listened to the objections of
Chairman Lasker of the Shipping
Board who declared that several
firms had already spent many thou
sands of dollars in making surveys to
determine how much to bid and that
sound business principles dictated the
necessity of giving the work to the
lowest bidder.
Mr. Harding was similarly advised
by Secretary DENLY of the Navy De-
partment. 1t was hard, however, to
say to Mr.. Lodge that the amendment
adopted by the Senate must be
ignored It's true the amendment
wasn't law and isn't law yet. But
word from the President would
have caused the Shipping Board to de
fer to Senator Lodge. The President
has the utmost confidence in Chair
man Lasker and he showed it in a
signal way by following the latter's
recommendation instead of the plead
ings of political bosom friend. To-
day, therefore, the Shipping Board
awarded the contract to the Newport
News Ship Building Company and so
far as politics is concerned, a Demo-
cratic constituency in Virginia will
get the benefit of the work and there
will be no political advantage to the
Administration except insofar as fol-
lowing a business instead Of a politi-
cal principle is broadly good thing.
Mr.. Harding explained to friends af-
terwards that the government could
not bestow special favors in awarding
work of this kind and while he did
not mention Senator Lodge by name,
he suggested that to follow the wish
of the Massachusetts constituency
might cost the government many mil
lions of dollars more.
AS for the bonus, Mr.. Harding's at
titude stated substantially as follows
at the White House:
Under the pressure Of wars respon-
sibilities and the spirit of patriotism
and the readiness to do or die, the
government can raise almost any sum
of money. 1t did during the war. But
in times Of peace there is not the
same sweep Of determination to dc
things. For this reason, the President
CONTINUED on Page Eight.)