Evening star., 1923-08-03

ly rumored through the press at the
time that Col Roosevelt regarded
him as the coming man of 1920. He
was not easily swayed by clamor or
passionate appeal. and was capable
of exercising deliberate judgment.
even amidst the turmoil of bitter
partisan strife. This was brought
in evidence during his utterances both
in the Senate and during the cam
paign of 1920 when questions arose
regarding the peace treaty and the
proposed league of nations.
Travelled ExtensfveIy.
Mr.. Harding was an extensive
traveller. He had been three times
abroad. visiting most OF the European
countries, not on pleasure bent. but
to study at close range their system
of government and the economic
problems with which we have TO deal
such as the tariff. the standard wage
paid to labor in the different coun-
tries. and the varied conditions sur
rounding their mode of life; but al
ways he has returned with a deeper
love for his own land and a frmer
conviction that its form of govern
ment is the best which was ever de-
vised by the brain of man.
L
States Senate and before taking MS
seat he visited the Hawaiian Islands
to get some firSt-hand information
upon the production and distribution
of sugar. He has spoken many times
in almost every state of the Union.
addressing now wool growers as
sociation, now farmers institute.
now convention OF steel and iron
masters, and now an association of
miners. OF of railroad employees, or a
of 10
other branch of industry. thus famil-
iarizing himself with the needs of
every section, and with the thoughts
and hopes and aspirations of all
classes and conditions Of men.
President Harding took great pride
in VIII, he termed being Just plain
folks" To all of those who knew
him we'll he had a personal charm
that made strong attachments and
lasting friendships. He Impressed
inely human and honest. He was
quick at repartee. and was a good
storyteller. and at the same time just
as good a listener, all of which went
| toward making him companionable
and popular. One of his outstanding g
characteristics was his unfailing
courtesy and kindliness Although
sharp in debate. he was never acri-
monious. Even during the fever heat
of political campaigns he never let
words and he never forgot that he was
a gentleman
OF Powerful Physique.
In physique President Harding was
unquestionably one of the most
powerfully built occupants of ,he
White House of modern times. He
was tall, broad shouldered and deep
chested. He was 1.-THE Of limb and
his hands were large and strong. He
at all tines gave every evidence of
good health and good spirits. He
attributed this to his vigorous early
life and his never-failing fondness
for exercise in the open. In later
years his principal form of exercise
was. golf. although when younger he
went in for tennis, horseback riding
and other more strenuous sports. His
fondness for golf was not due alone to
Its benefits, but because of his genuine
liking for that pastime. 1t became
his hobby. He never lost an oppor-
tunity when a moment presented it
links. He took pride in his game and
he played with serious determination
,, to win. Because of his love for
the out-of-doors. President Harding
yacht Mayfiower. and they never
ceased to interest and please him, and
he always returned from his cruises
refreshed and otherwise benefited.
He was a great home man. and
liked nothing better than to sit at his
own fireside entertaining friends
with the help Of Mrs. Harding. He
took great pride in the fact that he
never had any labor trouble at his
newspaper plant.
He frequently was seen on the
links at Chevy Chase Club or the
Washington Country Club. Another
hobby was motoring. driving his own
car whenever he could. Dogs. particu-
larly big dogs, were favorites with Mr..
| Harding.
In his reading he selected most
| often biographies, finding more en-
joyment in them than in any other
| books. Alexander Hamilton was his
| favorite character in history. and he
has lectured on Hamilton many times
I'm a tug about Hamilton" is
! the way he often expressed his fond
ness for reading about this historical
AZ 0SlRs a.----