Evening star., 1923-05-02
Politics at Large
BY n. O. MESSENGER

10 PRESIDENT Hardings denomination
Sometimes the gossip bears the hall
mark Of republican factionalism
other times it Is discerned as dis
guised democratic propaganda, but the
latest visitor is in the open, emanat-
ing from the democratic national
Of the committee there comes the
statement that with the practical
politicians and leading officials OF
the republican organization ranging
themselves against President Harding
his defeat for denomination in 1924
II he does not withdraw his candidacy
before the next national convention
opens-is fast becoming inevitable in
the opinion of those whose business
1t is to read political signs and por-
tents"
Then the statement goes on to quote
an unnamed republican senator to the
effect that the President could not
carry Illinois in a primary contest
with Senator Hiram Johnson of Cali
fornia; 1t says that Senator Moses will
see to it that New Hampshire is not
counted for Harding and that Senator
Brandegee will answer for Connecti-
cut; that New York and New Jersey
are lukewarm; that Senators Pepper
and Reed Of Pennsylvania are miffed
over patronage; that North Dakota
Idaho and Montana will not support
the middle west is determined on his
overthrow.
* X X X
Then the statement gives the milk
in the cocoaHut of the denomination
situation in the republican party in
its closing paragraphs:
IF President Harding is not renom-
mated" it says, land his chances are
waning rapidly, he will have the cold
comfort that Chester A. Arthur had
the defeat of his substitute"
That is what many republicans
think. putting aside all question of
the Presidents increasing popularity
in the country, which they believe to
be fact. Unquestionably there may
be some factional republicans who
may prefer themselves or another as a
candidate of the republican party in
1924, but they come face to face with
the proposition set down in the die
tum aforegoing, and must consider
party salvation first.
4 X \ x
AT the Capitol the other day the
present writer asked one of those
practical politicians, a republican. of
the 'hard-boiled" type. what effect
he thought the Presidents pushing of
the world court plan would have upon
the party in the presidential elections
In case there is marked dissent within
the party over the question.
1T will not have decisive effect one
way or the other" he replied "The
deciding element in the election will
be whether as the elections come on
labor is fully employed in this coun-
try, business continues good, railways
are prosperous and wages are satis-
factory. The rank and file Of the
voters will allow the academicians to
wrestle over the world court to their
hearts content, and will continue In
power the administration in which
these favorable conditions have
arisen"
II this is a correct Interpretation
Of the attitude of the mass Of the
electorate, it must be admitted that
prospects for republican success are
looking up. A countrywide survey OF
the employment and wage condition
furnished by the Associated Press
yesterday shows that unemployment
has practically ceased. There is an
actual shortage Of some classes of Ia
bor in twenty-three states of the
Union. In twenty one other states un-
employment has been absorbed. Only
In four states - Oklahoma, Georgia
Tennessee and South Carolina - are
there more workers than jobs. Wages
have been increa sed in many states
with more in prospect. There are but
nine strikes of any consequence in the
forty eight states of the Union. Pros
perity is in evidence everywhere.
= X x x
When the Senate takes up for con-
sideration at the next session Presi-
dent Hardings recommendation for
adhesion Of the United States to the
Permanent Court of international
Justice. It is likely that the hardest
work of the proponents of the plan
will be to get 1t reported out of the
committee on foreign relations. In
that body are intrenched as members
some Of the most bitter opponents OF
tors Borah of Idaho, Brandegee OF
Connecticut. Johnson of California
and Moses of New Hampshire. Sena-
tor Lodge has not announced his atti-
tude beyond letting it be known that
the plan submitted will necessarily
have to be amended with copious res
ervationS.
When the committee is reorgan
ized three republican vacancies on il
will have to be filled-Senators New
Kellogg and McCumber having gone
out of the Senate. A struggle is ex-
pected to ensue over filling these va
canCieS Naturally, the adninistra-
ton would like to see senators as
signed to the committee who may be
classed as friendly to the administra-
tion's policies. The radicals may ask
additional representation on the com
mittee.
Three democratic vacancies arc tc
braska, Williams of Mississippi and
Pomerene Of Ohio having retired
Whoever are assigned to fill their
places may be counted upon to sup
port the general plan of the Presi-
dent. but 1T Is possible they will make
trouble by insisting upon a broader
scope. tending toward the league OF
nations.
X X X x
Once the adhesion plan is reported
out Of committee-"if and when'-it
will enter upon another rough road
In open Senate the democrats will be
between two temptations-to join
with discontented republicans who
would like to harass the administra- :
tion, or to remain true to their ideals
Of participation of this country in a
movement looking to preservation OF
international peace with justice and
vote for the plan.
* X X
Senator Lodge has prophesied that
the world court plan as proposed by
the President will be modified by
reservations Of character calculated
to smooth out opposition to it and
especially to forestail a possible split
in the republican party over it.
That is recognized by other repub-
licans to be a mans size undertaking
and Senator Lodge appreciates the
fact. There are some republicans
who seem bound and determined to