San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-29

Washington, ID. c., Jan. 90. - The
report that President Harding may not
seek a second term is again going the
rounds of the press here. ~Trained
SEALS" as the special writers are termed
by the ordinary members of the press
galleries, are devoting much space IN
telling how weary the President has
become and how the failure of his party
in the House and Senate to rally to the
administration program has made him
heart-sick, with an oyer-weaning desire
to return 10 the bucolic joys of running
The Marion Star.
There may be modcum of truth in
all this, but few in Washington believe
that President Harding will retire vol
UNFAIRLY.
1t is doubtful if he could II he want
ed to, for. unless he had committed
some all but objectionable sin, his own
p;trty leaders would draft him.
Should he really show a disposition
to retire, there would be party coun-
Gil, and It would become known that
President Harding not only expected
denomination, but reelection. because of
the strong constructive policies for
which his administration has stood.
Retirement Would Start Row.
Party leaders know that the retire
ment of a PreSiasnt who has Retained
his health and Yigor during mis- first
term would be viewed by the country
as tantamount 10 an admission Of fail
Crc.
Moreover, the retirement of Presi-
dent Hardin; is UEthinkable because OF
the row it would start in his own party.
For the firsC time in fourteen years
there will be no session Of Congress
this summer. President Harding is de-
termined on that score and appears not
only TO have The country with Tim but
the cordial support Of Congress. Not mi
years has there been such progress I'M
the passing of the various supply bills.
There appears no reason for a session
this summer unless an European con
Migration should force it.
Several reasons are gscribed for this
decision on the part of.the adminisra-
ton. In the fist place, the Republican
leaders are said to feel that the country
is entiiIed to a rest AL! that more pro-
gress can be made If there is M open
forum - whicn national attcn ion isl
focused and critics Of tie administra-
ton and apostles Of discomfort can air
their views.
Radical Group Swept Ia.
1t would have been bal enough in the
Congress as now constituted, with
friends OF the administration in an
overwhelming control. but the eiec- .Ons
last November swept cit many Of theI
conservatives aud elevated q radical
group.
Then, too, President Harding wants
to take a rest. He wanted TO go to
Alaska last year, but Congress simply
would not clear it's docks in time TO let
him, and there was no way of choking
them off. He has the means at hand
this year, conveniently provided by the
constitution, which sets the date for
the assembling of the new Congress
thirteen months after it's election.
There is some talk around Washing
ton that there may be an extra session
next fall. but if tentative plans at the
White House are carried out this, would
scarcely be possible until October. The
report has it that the presidential party
will leave Washington about the middle
of July and, with few stops en- route,
proceed to Portland and thence on to-
Alaska. The party will return about
Septe-hber l.
Old uard.Progressive Scrap.
Lines are being formed for the fiVht
impending between the so-called Pro-
srcssives and Old Guard followers for
control Of the next House. The balance
between t;Iese two factions ID the Re- |
publican party is rather close.
Representative Nicholas LongwOrth. |
of Ohio, son-in-law OF the late Colonel
Roosevelt. has been put forward as the
Old Guard aspirant for Republican floor
leader, while Representative William
Graham. Of Illinois, has the support OF
the farm bloc and the Progressives.
1t is told about Washington that
young TEDDY" Roosevelt. assistant
secretary of the navy. undertook to aid |
his brothcr-in-law bit and called up
a congressman with whom he had beer
more or less rhummy. asking him to
vote for Mick" I.ongworth.
Sorry the congressman is said I"
have replied. but you see I'm by wav
of being a Progressive and ! favor =.
more in harmony with tho
principles for which your distinguished
father STOOD