The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-02
HARDING PAYS OFF SOME OLD SCORES IN SPEAKING TOUR
President Enjoys Sweet Re- venge While Visiting Home
 States Of Critics
By RAYMOND CHAPTER Leased Wire to The AHe-HernId)


 WASHINGTON, July 1.-President Harding is enjoying moments of sweet revenge as he pays off old scores while visiting the home states ief critical senators on his way to Alaska. After lodging the fire of Senate sharpshooters for two years. tue President is taking apparent de- light in calling on the constituents of these senators and telling his side of the story
 His first chance came at St. Louis, in the state of Senator James A. Reed and Gov. Arthur NJ. Hyde, both of whom have publicly opposed his world court plan. The President chose this setting to deliver one of his most appealing utterances for the court to a tremendous gathering.
 In Idaho, the home of Senator BO- rah, the President reiterated his plea for the court, and swung hfs fist at Soviet Russia, thus treading twice on tho toes of that states outspoken senator.
 In Montana where Burton K. Wheeler won Senate seat last fall by assailing the admins tration as reaotionary and needless of labor g right. the President stood as the per sonal champion of the working T against the railroad mag snates who set out in the strike last summer to crush unionism forever.
 Answers CApper Complaints.
 Even in Kansas, where Senator Cappsr. the chairman of the Senate farm bloc, Is almost invincible, the President answered complaints tha the administration has failed to do enough for the farmers. He recited the long list of legislative measures enacted for the farmers. describe q the rural credits system just set up, and then topped this off by going out in a wheat field near Hutchinson and showing his skin as & farm hand by shocking wheat, Capper adYo- eatss Harding's renomination and election, but he has never hesitated to speak up when ne thought the farmers were being neglected.
 Doubtless the President thought this would mako an impression not only in Kansas. but in all farm have regarded the admini istration as not sufficiently sympathetic.
 Harding, like any President, hss a great advantage in such situations. Even in sections oVerw helminsly hostile politically, the President, be- cause of his office, receives a warm and enthusiastic welcome. This was especially noticeable when Harding visited Birmingham and Atlanta nearly two years ago. At Blrmlng- ham he said some things on the race question which ran contrary to the south,s views on the negro problem, vet he was warmly received and as handsomely treated as though he had been in the republican strong holds of the north.
 Do Not Mean Approval.
 But this same personal eagerness to see and hear the President some times proves misbeading. Many Pres enthusiastic crowds did not mean political approval.
 Sure they'll cheer me, but they won't vote for me- Theodore Roose- welt said when one of his friends congratulated him on an enthustas tic m meeting during a presid dential cam paign. When Wilson came back from Paris and heard the plaudits of his countrymen he was spurred to insist upon ratification of the treaty with ting of an 'i," only to find few months later that the country had swung to the opposite extreme.
 President Harding runs the same danger. He has in one or two speeches expressed sal saasraetion ,.tnon at' a' mosphere of Washington He feels the thrill that all Presidents have felt when they have ridden between miles of crowded curbs, deafened by creering.
 Mrs. Harding, during tho 1926 campaign, was always warning against overconfidence. When hei friends would predict an easy vic tory, she would stop them sharply with the remark that no ono coulC be sure until the votes were count ed. Never to hsr closest friends would she permit herself to be over confident, even though she thought her husband would be elected.
 It is probable that she is render