The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-28
HARDING TIRED
Of H.!le's'''L LACE.
: :,[t:ADSFEE
President Is Sadly DisiIIu-
stoned Man as Third Year
of Administration Begins.
Thinks Couzens Shows
DiSrespeCt
WASHINGTON BUREAU
THE AGE-HERALD
VVoahip 0fnp n q Ian Of

Whlle not essentially a tlghtlng
man, Warren G.. Harding will con-
sent to make the race for another
term if he is drafted by the master
politicians of the republican party.
If, on the other hand, such politi-
clans represent to the President that
it would be wiser if another candi-
date be nominated, the President
will accept the verdict gracefully
and without serious regret.
This is in effect an answer given
by an outstanding republican sena-
tor close to the administration, to
the current renaissance of the ru-
NOR that the President is tired of
his job and will not endeavor to
serve longer than March 4, 1925.
1t is pointed out that the President
is too good a party man to retire if
it is made known to him that self
immolation might be regarded as a
confession of failure.
Harding DisiIlusioncd
In this connection, 1t may be stated
with apparent authority that the
President, near the conclusion of his
second year in the White House, is a
sadly disillusioned individual. He
CONSTITUTES the result of the November
elections as sign of popular dis
content with his administration. He
fair. He has an opinion that he is
not treated by the republican ele-
ment in Congress with proper re-
spect. He is distressed by assaults
against the shipping program. He is
grieved over the long illness of his
wife.
1t is understood that he has talk ed
OF these matters with those in Con-
gress known to be his personal
friends. He has pointed out that
despite an overwhelming republican
majority, he is no more successful in
securing legislation than were the
majority composed of democrats. The
concluding two years of his incum-
bency, he is aware, will be more dis
tressing in view of the passing of
his boon companions and the sub
stitution of democrats and progress
sives-the latter element being APP
parently more vindictive than the
I,rt 20, u ;,~,,, L.
sive their seeming contempt of the
occupant of the White House.
Lack of Respect Shown
As an Illustration of the attitude of
the progressives, it is understood that
the President has spoken of the APP
parent lack of respect shown him by
Senator Couzens of Michigan, ap-
pointed from a normally republican
state, by a republican governor, to
succeed a republican (Senator New
kerry). Senator Couzens, up to the
present time, it is said, has not called
at the White House even to pay his
respect, an alleged discourtesy which
democrats, aware that Mr.. Harding
is not merely Mr.. Harding, but the
President of the United States, have
studiously avoided. Couzens, in the
cloak room, makes bosom COM
RAMON of Senator Broohhart of Iowa,
arch enemy of the President.
When it is said to personal friends
of the President that the executive,
by refraining from welding the big
stick" and by suffering through in
attention the congressional ship to
fall upon unruly waters, is himself
responsible for his failure in securing
legislation, the answer is invariably
Mr.. Harding was elected on a plat
form which protested against the
usurpation by Mr.. Wilson of the
functions of Congress. He is living
up TO the requirements of the plat
form even as he is trying to abide by
his pre- election promises
Is Good Party Man
But if Mr.. Harding is called upon
to serve again, he will endeavor to
respond None of those very close
that the President by inclination and
by his adherence to the idea of gov
: ernment by parties is bound to abide
by any decision of those who are, in
effect. the republican party. 1t is
not admitted or denied that the Pres
icent would be willing to retire at
the completion of his term. 1t is,
however. strongly and emphatically
denied that he would refuse to run If
urged to do SO by those he knows
have his interest and the interest of
the republican organization at heart.
In this connection, it is evident
from conversation with numerous
democratic cheftains that they would
prefer that Harding run again. They
think him vulnerable. They think the
nomination of another by republicans
would be confession of their faults
and likewise a promise to improve.
They feel that they could beat Hard
ing And yet, all of them are ex-
ceedingly fond of Harding, the man.