The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-10-05
THE NATION NEEDS A LEADER.

IneeQ OF CnlS government tOudy 10 eIlcC-
tive leadership. The nation needs as
president a man who can incline con-
gress to his policies and who can success
fully exert commanding influence upon
the administration of the executive re-
sponsibilities. The people take no pride
in a president who does not stand out
as the foremost and dominant figure in
national affairs. Unless a president does
exercise such leadership, then there is to
be expected only disrraught and divided
national policy. -. ~,
Mr.. Coolidge has set forth platform
and has told the people that lie will ac-
complish certain legislation and carry
through certain other policies in the
event of his election to the presidency.
In view of Mr.. Coolidge's record IN re-
spect to bringing his policies into general
acceptance, there is little assurance that
he can carry out his promises, no matter
how sincerely uttered. On this point the
Worlds Work asks: "Will his party IN
congress follow him or agree with him!
The indications of the past year are that
they will not. Mr.. Coolidge wanted the
world court. Mr.. Lodge refused to give
It to him, not directly, but absolutely
effectively. President Coolidge wanted
the bonus bill killed, but his promise to
kill it was not worth as much as Mr..
Lodges promise to pass it. Mr.. Cooiidge
wanted the Mellon plan. His party aoan-
doned him entirely and made no effort
to sustain him. Not even Mr.. Taft sus-
tanned such series Of humiliating vetoes
of his leadership and he was working half
the time with a Democratic congress.
The more radical or progressive part OF
congress has little in common with tne
president. There is no more likelihood
of his having influence over them next
year than last"
1t is believed that, however weIl-lnten-
toned the president may be, he lacks
those qualities that make him an eftec-
tive and successful chief executive. 1t
is not enough for a president to deter
mine to pursue a policy. Aside from
those policies that are strictly admins
trative and already legally within his
jurisdiction, his authority amounts TO hC-
tie unless he can incline party support IN
congress to his desires. AS the Worid
Work continues: "The truth is that the
president's promises are not of great value
h.cause with the best will in the world,
be has not the quality of leadership to
enable him to obtain the desired leglsia-
+;or from congress. If he is reelected
there will be a serious danger of constant
dead,ocks between the executive and
congress-. for, while the president has not
the force to lead congress, ne has the
courage to resist congressional dlctation'
at least on many matters"
The alternative, of course, is to flno
man who is likely to be able to incline
congress to his policies and to exercise
the real leadership during the period OF
his administration. 1t is obvious that Mr.
IaFollette does not possess such quail
ties Of leadership, for if he had possessed
them. he would now be leader within
his party, after a period of more than
forty wears of political activity Mr.
IaFollette's espousal of a forlorn hope
ia sufficient evidence of his grave lack
of real and constructive leadership.
It is true that Mr. Davis has not sought
leadership at any time, but it is also true
that from the beginning OF his career
he has had leadership thrust upon him.
In the one case Mr.. LaFollette, although
having made desperate effort to attain
Leadership, has failed, whereas Mr.. DAVIS
though inclined to his profession OF law
has been repeatedly sought out and placed
in positions of public responsibility. AS
to his qualifications the Worlds WORK
asks: as he a man to sway other men
by the ability of his thinking and the
humanity of his personality? Through
out his life he has had the reputation Tor
these qualities. He has displayed them
in West Virginia, in Washington and in
London. If he grips the public in this
campaign, it will be as good an indica-
ton as can>be had that he can also grip
the mind and will of congress. The
president has a party which has proved
its hostility to him and he has shown
that he cannot overcome that hostility
and lead. Mr.. Davis has q party which
is united and gives every indication, ex-
cept the proof of having done it, of hav-
ing the personality and intention of lead
ing and fulfilling his program"
The American people admire leader.
When they elect man to the highest Of
flee within their gift, they expect him to
lead and not to follow. Neither do they
relish the spectacle of his reputation by
his own party majority in congress. For
that reason, it is logical and sensible
for the American people to elecc John
w. Davis to uphold the executive posi-
ton.