REPUBLICAN BUSINESS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 37, 13 August 1923, Page 6

REPUBLICAN BUSINESS

After a Vice-President. of the United States is elected the world usually hears little of him. Even in America he becomes a person of less importance than the Secretaries of State—unless the Presidential chair suddenly becomes vacant. Then he at once becomes the head of the Government. President Coolidge has attained this eminence, arid the. world is now seeking to learn what type of man h© is. Will he follow in the steps of his predecessor, or will he boldly tread a new path, as President Roosevelt did? A cable message from Washington to-day enumerates the problems which await his consideration. Several of these closely affect international affairs, but, apart from the World Court issue, it is probable that greatest importance will attach to the domestic programme. President Haffdipg'ct adyaswy. of ' World

Court membership provoked the opposition of the Republican irreconcilables, and these now appear to be redoubling their efforts to keep America most strictly aloof. Prohibition enforcement realignment is stated to be another issue; but this can scarcely be placed at the head of the programme, as President Harding's attitude practically committed his Party to enforcement as a firm policy. More importance, according to the Washington message, attaches to the threatened strike on the hard coal fields. It was industrial trouble which gave President Harding his first trial, and seemingly his successor is to be tested over the same ground. The ex-President's handling of industrial strife- did not satisfy some of the Kepublicans. They found^that he was not ready enough to follow the line they marked for him, and they charged him with lack of firmness. President Coolidge comes to office with a reputation for particular firmness in situations of this kind. If he lives up to that reputation he will probably offend many; but there will be no doubting where he stands. He has need for all his courage and decision, for upon most of the problems which now confront him there is no wellmarked cleavage between Republican and Democrat—but there are cleavages within the Parties.