The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-06-02
HARD|NG'S ABILITY TODOM|NATE HOUSE AND SENATE SOUGHT
Congressional Blues" Sung to G. 0. P. Leader, Party's Hope for Urgent Legisla-
 tive Enactments
By HUGH W. ROBERTS Washington Bureau, The Age-HeraId,
 BOO DayidsOu RuiIdtnR q

Washington, June 1.-(Special)- To overcome the unpopularity of Congress, the rank and file of the re- publican party is appealing to the President-regarded as more popu- lar than his party--to assert his leadership.
 It is believed by those so appeal ing that if the President would as- |. sume the mannerism of Theodore Roosevelt, he would grip the imagi- nation of the people. and in addition secure nasty action by Congress of legislation deemed important both from an economic and party stand point.
 The President. however, has an old-fashioned idea that the execu- tive must take no step likely to be construed as asurpation of the con- stitutional rights of Congress As a Senator he was jealous of the rights of Congress. As President, he IS adhering to the principle to which then he subscribed.
 As to whether or not he will aban- don such principle in hope of pull ing his party out of a slough of despond, remains to be seen.
 Harding Is Leader
 The success scored by the Presi- dent last year when he personally appeared before the Senate against the bonus bill, is cited as an example of the power of leadership the Pres ident might assume if he should desire to exert himself. Despite the impression that public sentiment was behind the bonus bill. he struck the popular fancy. For a time, the re- publican party had a real as well ;.s titular leader, and his leadership extended to Congress where the rec ognized leaders were unable to con- trol those supposed to constitute their following
 Not Usurpation
 The President does not consider his appearance at that time an at tempted usurpation of the power of Congress Likewise the letter ad- dressed to Chairman Fordney of the House committee on ways and means. expressing opposition to an embry- onic bonus bill providing direct tax ation-wihch killed the bill while it was being born-is not regarded by the President as an attempt to dic- tate to Congress.
 It is currently reported that the President has recently had some heart-to- heart talks with individual members of Congress relative to bills regarded as party measures. and that the President has spoken with considerable force.
 Demand Leadership
 But 1t is for .-ctual lea iershi ;. leadership of the big-stick signifi- canoe. that the rank and file of the republican party Is demanding. It is insisted that the President. publicly and with loud voice, call upon Con- gress to put through those measures which the administration has in dorsed. It Is for a political hero that the rank and file cries. a per sonality" able to stand forth as "the party" and by his political radiance to draw attention from the record made up to the present moment by the Congress and the administration. Nothing appears to show that the President Is being impressed by his advisers. At the same time expecta- tion seems to exist thatthe will soon determine whether he shall seek to overcome the critical attitude of the country by exerti-g tho power of an executive to lead.