, 1922-08-05
In Accordance Win Constitution

RELUCTANTLY, and only as a last resort, the
Harding administration brought the government
into the coal and railroad controversies.
Less government in business was the Republican
policy, and that policy has been adhered TO, much
to the qualification of the American people.
In this respect, the Harding administration diff
fers from its predecessor. 1t will be remembered
that after the armistice and when there could be no
excuse for HIS action, President WnsoN seized the
ocean cables as a "war measure" It was the policy
of the Wilson administration to have the govern
ment undertake every private enterprise that did
not seem TO be operating to perfection-and govern
ment operation proved less satisfactory and moro
expensive than private operation
In his address to the coal operators and miners,
President HARDING said: THE government has no
desire to intrude itself into the field of your activi-
ties. 1t does feel an obligation TO see that the com
mon American interest shall not be menaced by a
protracted lack of fuel. We wish you who
best know the way to solution TO reach it among
yourselves, in a manner to command the sanction of
American public opinion. Failing in that the serv-
ants of the American people will be called to the
task in the name of American safety, for the great
est good TO all the people"
As the president has been properly reluctant to
place the strong hand of the federal government
upon the management Of private enterprise, 50 he
has been properly hesitant in e~xerting the police
power of the federal government in maintenance of
order in the several states, for this is primarily a
function OF state government. In his telegram to
80 A'@H febN ~ thhh w fVh NhF
assurance of the full and prompt support of the
federal government whenever and wherever you find
your own agencies of law and order inadequate to
meet the situation
One OF the worst things that could happen in this
republic, where the people must feel the RESPONSE.
bility of self government, would he for the national
administration to relieve local officials by assuming
authority itself. Our federal constitution contem-
plates that the states shall take primary action in
the preservation of peace and order, but, failing
that, that the national government shall exert its
own larger power for the protection of the people
against domestic violence. President HARDING rec
ognizes an obligation to uphold the constitution in
spirit rs well as in letter, hence he has left to the
state executives, in the first instance, the task of
protecting their citizens in the enjoyment Of their
rights Of life, liberty and property.
Owing TO policies adopted by the Democratic
regime, many people have acquired the habit of
looking to the federal government for everything.
They seek federal assistance for almost every ill
forgetting that more self reliance and selfhelp
would solve most problems without any appeal to
Washington whatever. A minority take that view.
The great majority deprecate every movement that
strengthens the hands of a federal bureaucracy.
Consequently, they should hold their own state au-
~thorities responsible for any dcreliction which
makes necessary the exercise of national power in
preserving local peace.