The Washington times., 1923-12-06
Wide
World
BY Herbert Kaufman

EFT Mr. Coolidge. The
NJ Presidents message to
Congress also reveals his
stature to the people.
Until now, we've had slight
chance to fairly estimate the
quality of Harding's successor.
He assumed office without any
considerable prior disclosure of
views on vital domestic or for
eign issues.
This afternoon the public
should be acquainted with White
House attitudes on the League
of Nations, the World Court,
war loans, tax reforms, the
tariff, railroad and fuel regula-
Ftlon, immigration, soldiers bonus
and agricultural relief.
Such opinions as he expresses
must, largely, become formulas
Tor the Republican party and
likewise provide the opposition
with snickersee whetstones.
Today belongs to the Presi-
dent. Tomorrow is for his critics.
Study every word of the care
fully conceived document being
read at the Capitol and then
search between the lines.
The essence of a thousand eco
nomic and diplomatic confer
ences is concentrated in it. The
result of ambassadoral confer
ences and extended social and
industrial surveys is reflected
there.
But remember that under our
partisan system Of government
even the Chief Magistrate can
not escape a certain degree of
blasting influence.
craftsmanship at best is COM
PEELED to trim sails. Politics
demands strategic compromises.
Without yielding, more or less,
to the will of organized groups,
upon whom he is dependent for
the practical execution of his
projects, Mr.. Coolidge cannot
effectuate them.
The extent to which he re-
sists reactionary and selfish
pressure-his inherent vision
and independence-his zeal for
national welfare and his de-
termination to serve republic
at whatever cost to personal
ambitions-may be Interpreted
by his legislative program and
administrative aims.
The Plans OF Mice and
Elephants.
CTOCK tickers, according to
~ Broadan Wall have had an
advance peep at the message
and signify approval in the
forward movement of securi-
ties. If one were assured that
South Dakota Republicans, too,
were pre-informed, greater sig
nificance could be attached to
the States endorsement Of
Coolidge.
On the other hand, Hiram
Johnson might have made a
better score had an .insurgent
minority not delayed Congress
sional schedules. The Cali
fornia progressive is always
most effective when engaged
in q specific attack.
The "old guard" merely wins
q preliminary skirmish-wait
until Hiram's supporters reopen
the contest with their petitions
and hitherto undisclosed Cool
idge policies are raked fore and
aft!
Time shall demonstrate that
House insurgency hasn't been
quelled, either. Gillett gets the
Speakership, but probably at a
dear price.
The seventeen Leonidans hold
the filibuster pass. They obtain
the privilege of unrestricted de-
bate and a months breathing
space to better foment revolt
against committee tyranny.
These few uncaged mice can
make it exceedingly bothersome
for the G. o. P. elephant.
Business Men, All!
COUNTESS DE BAUREPAIRE
~ DE GRASSET, former
wife of a Cincinnati millionaire,
appears before the Seine tri-
bunaf as defendant in a breach
of-promise action. The gentle
man IN the case is one Marquis
de Pohtveves.
Blue blood not only tells but
attempts to tattle, too. Besides
alleging various gifts of furni-
ture, pictures and lace, this
Paladin calamity acquaints the
court with mutual visits to
various hotels at which all the
bills were paid by him.
The French word for "muck-
er" escapes immediate memory.
Prince Schaumberg-Lippe kills
himself because of parental re-
fusal to sanction marriage with
a rich merchants daughter. No
scion of that august house has
ever sullied the strain with
common ichor.
However, the speed at which
European exchange and crowns
are falling warns of less pride
full hours yonder. Even Boris,
of Bulgaria, is ready to bestow
his hand and wobbly title on
most any comfortably fixed
maiden.
And the assortment of Rus
sian grand dukes and Hun
garian magnates, complacentlv