Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-06-23
POLITICAL BENEFITS
SEEN BY DEMOCRATS
: IN HARDING S TOUR
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Ueased Wire Service to The Journal
DOWNRIGHT 1923


Democrats look upon President Har-
ding's western trip without appre-
hension or concern. They really
think it will ultimately yield po&ti-
cal benefits in their direction.
President Taft's swing around the
circle was followed by widespread in
surgency in the Republican party.
Disaffection exists in the ranks of
Republicanism today especially in
the west. The Democrats are not
expecting a third party to be devel-
oped this time as in 1912, but any
friction in the Republican party will
tend to enhance the opportunity of
the Democrats to make a platform
and nominate a candidate of special
appeal to the disconnected elements.
AS yet no plan has been made to
trail the president with speakers or
to answer his speeches. The strategy
OF the Democrats is to let Mr.. Har
ding have the political stage to him.
self, for he is in a defensive position
anyway, and his critics will analyze
his utterances much more effectively
ii unhampered by partisan outburstS
OF an active political opposition.
lac pACSA0CAI Will IIGNS W oC41i1C
the issues. The Democrats are in
a position to pick flaws in the presi-
dental program without at this
time offering an alternative. Their
tactics will be to break down the
force of the presidential argument
and leave until the next Democratic
national convention the task of franz
ing a platform in answer to it.
To Follow G. o. P. Style
The ''outs" always have that ad-
vantage in politics and the Demo
Gratis will not hesitate to take
leaf out Of the political guide book
of their opponents in hammering
away on everything they can, avoid
ing commitments in advance of the
party convention. More or less the
same strategy of guerilla warfare
will be pursued il the next congress
except that the Democrats will be
aided and abetted by the group of
tnsurgent Republicans who already
have begun to make life miserable
Tor the Harding contingent.
The president himself will be able
TO some extent to keep his political
foes from bombarding him if he
sticks to a nonpartisan style of
speech. If, however, he plunges
boldly into Republican achievements
he will invite rejoinders. Mr.. Har.
ding, however, is more likely to find
himself attacked by Republicans who
disagree with him than Democrats.
His first speech on the world court
Is awaited with much interest by
the ''irreconcilable" element in his
party. The general expectation. is
that Senator Borah will be particu.
larly aggressive in attacking the
president on the world court ques-
ton, but it would not be surprising
If the Idaho senator made only
gesture of opposition.
The truth is Senator Borah is up
for reelection next year and he
needs the support of the regular
Republicans to win the nomination.
Politically speaking, it behooves him
TO straddle and not to antagonize
the regulars. This is an important
phase of Idaho politics at the mo-
ment and will bear watching in con-
nection with the trouble that some
of the Democrats have been hoping
and wishing would begin to brew for
Mr.. Harding in the west. 1t will
not be as material a factor as they
think. 80
Hiram johnson Watched
AS for Senator Hiram Johnson,
senior senator from California, no.
body knows. yet what his attitude
will be. The president makes a
speech in California after returning
from Alaska. Should he mention
the world court or anything else Or
which Senator johnson disagrees,
there will certainly be some response
from the California 'irreconcilable."
The last. word, however, is that
the world court will be made the
subject of presidential discourse in
st. Louis, where the comment of
Senator James Reed, Democrat, will
not hurt Republican harmony and
that the subject will not be revived
in California. Any attempt to turn
Hiram Johnson's home state against
his way of thinking on anything
would put the senior senator On
the warpath and President Harding
knows it.
Democratic hopes of western poll.
teal earthquakes may, therefore, not
materialize so far as insurgent Re
publicans are concerned, though it
is quite possible the world court is
sue will be sidetracled in Importance
ALONGSIDE of agricultural problems
which, after all, were the crux OF
the western revolt last autumn. The
policy of the Democrats will be to
Wa. watchfully the opportunity to
take advantage of any misplays by
Mr.. Harding and if his speeches are
in
Democratic strategists are too
ghrewd to stir up partisan emotions
at a. time when unprecedented scru-
tiny of the presidents utterances
might rebound to their benefit.
The real reply to the western trip
of President Harding will probably
be made in the next congress when
the Republicans from the west show
their hand. If he wins the west.
they will be tractable; if he doesn't
make an effective impression they
will be recalcitrant.
The Democrats feel they need only
10 wait to see which way the cat
Jumps before committing themselves
to anything.
ST. LOUIS FIRST STOP
FOR FORMAL ADDRESS
Washington, June 20.-Pfesldent
Harding was on the way today to-
ward realization of one of the hopes
he has held ever since he entered
the White House nearly two and
a half years ago.
The chief executive has looked
forward practically ever since March
4. 1921, to the time when he could
leave the capital long enough to
visit the vast territory of Alaska
and study at first hand the prob
lens which he feels are still lacking
the solution that will make for prop
er development of the territory.
That time came today with the de-
parture from Washington of a spe-
cial train carrying Mr.. Harding,
Mrs. Harding and party of sew
enty with Alaska as the ultimate
destination.