The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-24
WESTERN TOUR IS
INITIATION Of THE
PRESIDENTS RACE
Despite Mr.. Harding's Desire
To Make Trip Nonpartisan,
Politics PredominateS
WASHINGTON BUREAU |
THE AGE-HERALD
vCo hiuvtou II r. lima "a

The political Campaign of 1924
was initiated when President Hard
ing and his staff of advisers left
Washington for a tour of the west.
The executive is hopeful that the
people will regard him as kindly
shepherd gone to see in person just
the condition and needs of his flock.
According to political observers, how
ever, the people will put far diff
ferent construction of the jaunt. If
there was ever a chance that no
political significance would be at
tached to the visit that chance. it
is pointed out, went glimmering
when some months ago in Florida
Attorney General Harry NJ Daugher-
ty announced the Presidents candi-
dacy for reelection.
That the tour of the west will
have political effect, whether or not
the President so desires, Is certain,
1t Is agreed.
The eyes of all prospective rivals
of the President, democratic and re-
publican. will perceive and follow
every action of the traveller. and will
take in and digest his every word.
This the President knows. Of course.
For two weeks before leaving Wash
ington, Mr. Harding denied himself
his closest friends and advisers. He
prepared his speeches and read them
to those in whose judgment he has
greatest confidence. 1t was his OBJ
ject to prepare himself in such man
ner that to make a mistake would
be practically impossible.
AS a rule, the President will con-
fine his remarks to topical subjects
of local significance. He will dis
cuss river navigation and farming
and good roads; the advisability of
practicing economy in private life
as we'll as in governn mental admin
istration. He will talk OF what he
has done and hopes to do. He will
tell the people of his alleged success
in righting the country following the
panic of war.
He will bring into play all his
charm of manner, his fine personaH-
ty, his magnetism, his equipoise, the
evenness of his temperament. For
he is convinced that the impression
he will make will be good provided
he can talk man to man and face
to face without the necessity of dis
cussing controversial topics.
1t is the general opinion in Wash
ington that the President will do
we'll by himself. Republicans be-
lieve that by a mere glance and a
shake of the hand the President can
compose the northwest which is still
restless and disconnected And DEM
ocrats do not deny that to certain
appreciable extent the republicans are
correct.
There is always the chance, how
ever, that the President will do or
say something that will rise IL
haunt him in the future. But the
President is known to be guarding
against this danger with most scru-
Ia tot ri
ing to local opinion, that the Presi-
dent would never conduct himself
as Charles f. Hughes did in Cali
fornia in 1915. The President is not
as able in many respects as his Sec
rotary of state, but he is infinitely
more wise as a practical politician.
1t is the understanding in Wash
ington that the resident promised
the political masters of the reac-
tionary wing of his party that he
would not discuss his court propose,
but once. 1t is said that he agreed
to touch IT. thereafter. IL at all. very
liehtly-in passing. as 1t were. This
alleged promise will be kept. 1t Is
understood, unless audiences are able
to lead the President afield. Instant
ly. there would follow political com.
plications.
John T. Adams, chairman of the
republican national committee, ar
IDENTIFY fighting the administrations
scheme to enter the League of Ma
tions through the back door. Is lis
tening for any Presidential break
that might be committed. There are
other "sharpshooters" in the Presi-
dents immediate territory. There is
Senator Borah. There Is Senator La
Toilette. Both are ready to fly to
the attack at the first opportunity.
and Senator Johnson is en- route to
Ty,Tt cd wit t. ;1,-
calculated to destroy the Presidents
hope of getting the United States into
any adjunct OF the league under any
pretext.
Dyeing plants of England shut
working nine and one-half hours
the nfher five DAYS of the WeaL