Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-07-08
THE CONVERSION OF
HARDING

president HARDING was a
l strong believer in the theory
that the president should keep his
hands off congress and not seek to
influence either house of congress
in their task of legislation. At
least that was his sincere and hon.
est. opinion when he was a senator
and a democratic president sat in
the White House. He told the
world about it. He often denounced
Woodrow Wilson because he sent
for senators and congressman and
| sought to induce them to support
| the administration program. In his
farewell speech to the senate, he
, once more referred to his favorite
theory of the independence of the
| senate and it's right to be free from
executive dictation. Let is con-
cede that Senator Harding was sim
| cere and meant just what he said
at the time. Indeed, there is evil
dence that he was sincere because
in the early days of his administra-
ton he seemed reluctant to inter-
fere with the progress Of legislation.
It was only when it began to look as
though congress would do nothing
at all, that President Harding took
hold and attempted to guide con-
gress in its legislation. He did not
have very good luck in his attempt.
The lower house turned down his
advice about the soldiers bonus
bill, the size of the army and navy
and other legislative matters. The
senate was more plant and did his
bidding several times.
But what we started to speak
about is, that President Harding
has experienced a complete change
Of heart about the duty of the pres
ident to interfere in congressional
matters. He is converted and ready
to give his testimony as to the
new faith that is in him. At Column
bus, the other day, he addressed
a republican club and told them
about his new convictions. He said
that he did not care to be a solv-
ist," but said that someone had to
act as director, otherwise there
would be no harmony" He made
an appeal for harmony in the re
publican party. He said that too
many who profess to be republicans
are attempting to attract attention
toward themselves" instead of
working for the good of their party
and their country. The president
has now come to the same concep-
ton Of the presidency that Wood
row Wilson held. He often said
that besides being the president Of
the United States he was the head
Of the democratic party. President
Harding also now takes that atti-
tude. and he resents the action OF
congressional leaders who he &C
cuses of trying to attract attention
to themselves by taking a course
not in harmony with the views Of
the president and the head of the
republican party. He evidently
points his finger at Senators Borah,
Norris, Lafollette and other pro-
greesive republicans who refuse to
support the administration plans
with relation to the tariff, ship sub
sidy, soldiers bonus and other bills.
These men attract attention toward
themselves and spoil the harmony
of the republican orchestra. They
strike the high notes when Harding
says sing soft and low. Well, we
guess there is some truth in the
presidents indictment. Then, there
is the agricultural bloc. The presi-
dent has denounced it by name sew
eral times. 1t has certainly dis
turbed the harmony of the admin
istration concert by loud blares of
discord and threats of kicking in
the head of the base drum if the
program was not changed to suit its
ideas. The program was changed,
but who can blame the director of
the music for feeling sore about its
performance? A director who can
not direct, is not an admirable fig
ure. President Harding is not a
very f~orceful character. 1t is not
his style to complain much, but in
his Columbus speech, he showed
very plainly we things. The first