, 1923-08-07
The Waters Are Charted

President Harding will 60 down in history as the
greatest of our constructive presidents. When he en-.
tered the White House he found chaos on every
hand. 1t became his duty to restore order, reor-
ganize the government along sound business lines,
and salvage the w~reckage of war. In the two years
and four months that he directed the affairs of
state, a record of accomplishment was set never
equalled before in the history of any government
in the world, and likely never to be approached
again.
he foresaw that the task ahead far exceeded
the capacity of any one man to handle success
fully, and he proceeded to surround himself with
a cabinet who could not only give sound advice
when called upon, but who could be trusted to
manage the executive departments in the manner
the situation demanded. In his selection of execu-
tive assistants the president showed rare judg-
ment- His appointees were men of marked manager
ial ability, and all were skilled in the work Mr..
Harding allotted to them What they did under
his direction and guidance will forever remain an
example to succeeding administrations.
Economy was the watchword, and in the treasury
department the effect of the Harding policies was
most prominent Just before he left for the west
the president had the satisfaction Of announcing
to the country that the last fiscal year indicated a
big surplus instead of the usual deficit to which
the people had been SO accustomed. The reduction
of expenditures and the increase of receipts made
possible large cuts in the national war debt and
warranted a substantial tightening of the tax bur.
den. Future payment of almost half of the huge
allied loan was also assured Through the funding
agreement of Great Britain.
In the war and navy departments the president
has caused the conversion of huge surplus stores of
supplies into cash, and in the shipping board his
appointees have struggled successfully with heart
breaking discouragements. Under the Harding pol
icies the department of commerce has become a
practical aid to exporters, the department of the
interior has brought new efficiency to the admin
istration of the public domain, the post office de-
partment is operating within its appropriations
for the first time, the department of agriculture
is headed by a man familiar with both the practical
department has restored American prestige among
the nations of the world.
In place of the disorder he inherited, MI. Hard
ing bequeaths to his successor an organization laid
that already has had a two year demonstration of
its ability to function according to the best inter-
ests of the people. 1t is due to his foresight that
the man who is to direct that organization is al
ready trained for the task. Mr.. Harding established
the precedent of inviting the vice president to at
tend cabinet meetings. His purpose was not only
to receive the benefit of Mr.. Coolidge's sound com
ment on affairs of state, but to familiarize the vice
president with the duties of the executive depart
ment so that, in the event of an emergency like the
present, he could step into the presidents office
with no disturbance to the nations business.
Never has a presidents death been more deeply
but never has a president left his of
in more orderly condition than Mr.. Harding.
President Coolidge can take up the rcins where
the predecessor has dropped them and pursue the
Harding policies to the end already mapped out
for them. Mr.. Harding met and successfully mas.
tered the crises incident to the abrupt change from
war to peace, and Mr.. Coolidge has but to follow
the comparatively smooth road ahead. Mr.. Hard
has paid the penalty for his overwork in behalf
of the people. His memory will be gratefully treas
ured by them.