The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-01
THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS

THE PRESlDENl SFEAno
 It is a curious fact that, no matter how widely an incoming president may differ with the opinions of his retir- ing predecessor, by the time he has served two or three years his opin- ions have been so modified by his re- sponsibility and his new viewpoint that. the original difference is much modified and often almost entirely obscured. The reason is that presi- dent comes into office as the leader of a political party, but he gradually evolves into the head of the American government and rises above party. And so MT. Harding speaks in terms that recall the sentiments of Wilson, especially when he expresses the ideals upheld by this nation during the war, and when he defends the world court, against which there Is so much oppo- sition in his own party. It is interest iyg to observe, as a parallel to the presidents expansion of opinion, that those of his party who differ with him are In politics, while those who support him have also the responsi- bility of high executive office, such as Secretaries Hughes and Hoover. It all goes to show that, after all, politi cal differences are not essential but rather expedient and superficial.
 Therefore, many of the presidents expressions of opinion are in reality exposition of national rather than partisan policy. When he says with respect to capital and labor, for ex- kmnple, that he has sought to lessen
 e reason for conflict between or 3ganized labor and organized employ CTS and to bring both to realization of the great obligation both owe "to the great public interest,"" he voices a sentiment with which no patriot can quarrel. Mr. Harding's remarks on %his point deserve repetition: "On the capital side of the line were those who hoped that the administration would lend itself to their program of breaking down organized labor and kending it back to the era of indi- widual bargaining for the industrial 6ob. On the labor side of the line were those who hoped, by exorbitant demands and an attitude of uncom- promising insistence, to force the na- Naturalization of some of our most im- portant industries and services. Be- tween these two extreme groups we have tried to hold the scales even." These are the words, not of . parti- san, but of chief executive, who Is president of all the groups and divis- ions of our population, not repre- senting one of them more than an- kother, having in mind always the pol est number and fair deal to all.
 This policy is further exemplified in remarks with respect to public sen- tim/ ht: q believe this people is firmly and finally committed to the Ideal of preserving the fullest rights of private initiative and private en- erprise, together with the right of organization on both sides of the line etween capital and labor, and always
 lnsistent with the right of the public
 be served efficiently and st req bnable cost" Thus 1t appears that Fssential and fundamental differ pces of executive opinion do not ex- M There is difference as to method, ut not as to the result~ desired. When a man is exalted to the highest psition within the gift of the Ameri-
 n people, he divests himself of those
 erely partisan and political habili-
 ents and clothes himself In the raj
 ent of benevolent leader desiring
 ply good to all his people-either
 at, or he speedily reveals himself as
 lift for the distinction that has been
 corded him.