White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1923-08-10
WARREN C. HARDING

ate In 1903 he was made lieuten-
ant governor of his state and in 1914
he entered the United States senate,
where he served for six years.
At the Republican national conven-
tion in June, 1920, Harding was
chosen as the Republican candidate
and was elected president of the
United States on his 55th birthday.
He was the first United States sena-
tor to be made president.
Early in his years of political serv-
ice he met William Mckinley, to
whom his close friends have most
often likened him and with whom he
had in common predominant pas
sion for obliteration of class and sec
tional lines. A friendship sprang up
between the two men. Mr. Harding
also was close in later days to Theo-
dore Roosevelt, Senators Foraker and
Penrose and others high in his party
counsels.
Mother Given Credit
The Harding family, in which War
rem was the eldest son, was a large
one and an affectionate one. One of
Warren Harding's arriends has de-
scribed him as Just bundle of SEN
timent." He loved children, and
grieved constantly because he and
Mrs. Harding had none of their own
He loved dogs, and said that there
was only one man he had really hated
in all his life-the man had poisoned
a dog.
For Is years before she died, War
rem Harding's mother never failed to
receive from her son his regular Sun
day gift of flowers The Harding
family was one in which mother and
father did not, in their old age, lose
close attachment with their children.
George T. Harding, the presidents
father, was complimented on his in
fluence in raising a son who became
the leader of his country. ut was
not my Influence that governed War
ren," he said, "but his mothers.
Through all his life he has thought of,
her in connection with everything
he has DONE"
Phoebe Dickerson Harding was an
intensely religious woman, who found
her greatest opportunity for service
in her skill as midwife, skill
sorely needed by prospective moth
ers on the farms of half century
ago. She gave religion to her child
rem, and she gave them also the be-
ginnings of their education.
President Was a Baptist.
Few people have known that the
presidents full name was Warren
Gamaliel Jesse Bancroft Harding.
Named after a maternal uncle, he
took at first the uncle's full name,
but early in life found this too cum
bersome and kept only the first two
portions. The old testament name of
Gamaliel linked him definitely with
that early American generation in
which scriptural names were the rule
rather than the exception.
The president was lifelong Bap-
fist and was a trustee of his home
church in Marion. He also had been
member of the Elks and Moose fra
ternities for years and after his cleo
ton as president he became thirty
second degree Mason and Shriner.
Golf was his favorite recreation, but
he also liked to fish, although his OPP
portunities for that sport were linn
tied after he came to the White House.
He played hard and possessed the fac
ulty of putting all his worries behind
him during his recreation hours.
Mrs. Harding Loyal Hslpmate.
OF the many thousands of people
who Hooked to see and hear the late
president on his trip to the Pacific
coast, none will be able to think of
him without at the same time think
ing of the brighteyed, eager woman,
who was constantly at his side and
whose friendly smile and warm hand
clasp she was glad to bestow on all
who came. Florence Killing Harding
married struggling Ohio country
editor in 1891, eight years before he
entered politics, and with him suf-
fered many tribulations before there
were triumphs to enjoy.
Florence King was wealthy by