New-York tribune., 1922-03-05
Tells Press Club How He
Likes To Be President
at Celebration of His
Official Anniversary
Finds He Misses
The Human Touch
Work Never Fully Done,
but Problems Solve d
Give Him Satisfaction

FROM 1Ho IftohhC - w FdSHtn0tON Bureau
WASHINGTON, March 4.-As the
chief guest at birthday party to-
night staged by tho National Press
Club in honor of his initial year in the
White House, President Harding made
his first public uttcrance on the re-
sponsibilitics and accomplishments Of
the Administration in the last twelve
months.
1t was radio night at the club, and
the program included Emusic in the
air" from many radio stations. The
birthday anglo was represented in
huge cake, out Of which were drawn
the Accomplishments" and "disap-
pointments" Of the maiden year of the
Harding Administration.
"I enjoyed myself quite as much as
any of you," President Harding said in
acknowledging the satirical birthday
skit, which Master Of Ceremonies Gus
Kargcr said was merely to appeal to
the humor of the "roughneck report
crs."
ut is not hard for me to adjust my
self" the President continued, "to the
humor of the roughneck reporter. I
have had my day there
Never Finds Work Done
The President then referred to the
fact that he desired the human con-
tact and that as consequence he
found his days so filled that he had
difficulty keeping abreast of his task.
81 never find my work DONE" he
said. II find myself unable, however,
to keep aloof. One cannot be President
and keep aloof. He would not be fit
to be President if he did.
Some of you perhaps wonder how
it feels to be President and what my
recolle ctions are. 1t seems to ME that
I have been President for twenty years.
Life since I came to the White House
has been so full there is scarcely an
impression left Of the life before.
There is only one distinct one. | recall
my previous conception of the Senate
as compared with the one I have to-
day, but no unkindlincss is meant by
that"
"1he satire on the year was bully
good" the President continued, refer
ring to the cake and its contents. "There
have been dsappontments and dreams
which have not come true. But I don't
believe that any of you have fully un-
derstood the problems the Administra
tion took up. And when / say that
am not critical nor unmindful of the
fact that my distinguished predecessor
was ill, and that the nation was adrift
in wars aftermath. The problem of
readjustment was infinitely more diff
cult than any of you imagined.
"If we accomplish nothing but the
long step in getting back in the normal
ways of government we will have at
least accomplished something"
The President then indicated how
fully his responsibilities were bearing
down upon him, and how much relief it
was to be plain newspaperman" if only
for few minutes.
Glad To Be "Really Human"
"It is good to come and forget at
such an event as this" he said, "and
be just really human for while"
"Jf there is anything wrong with the
White House job it is the inability to
be human being" he continued. and
then to relieve the tension he inter
jccted, 81 am not referring to any piece
of legislation" and there was an ap-
prcciative wave of laughter.
"There are many compensations,"
declared the President. "These are in
efforts to restore order, to restore
stability, maybe in adding to the guar
antee Of that civilization that comes
with growing aspirations and is being
retained and will be handed on to the
generations of Americans to come"
Then disclaiming any idea of fattcr-
ing the newspaper writer's assembled
CONTINUED on next pase)