Political Notes

The Spectator (conservative London weekly) is running a series of American Portraits. The first has to do with William Edgar Borah. Excerpts:

"Indeed, it is not too much to say that he occupies in American politics a position analogous in many respects to that of Lord Robert Cecil at home; he is often wrong, but he is always sincere."

"Men know him. . . as a lonely figure riding of a morning through Rock Creek Park, wearing an immense sombrero, kid gloves, buff waistcoat and an old riding coat. The clothes fit the personality of the wearer. Sensible, unostentatious, efficient, with an occasional outburst of color in waistcoat or tie."

"He distrusts Europe. He hates the Ruhr situation because he believes France wants to conquer Germany. (Equally he condemns the American regime in Hayti, which he regards as imperialistic)."

"He believes there will be no solution of the economic situation in Europe until Russia and Germany are back in the family of nations."

"He is the leading, and perhaps the only, public exponent in America of the recognition of the Soviet Government. Not because he has sympathy for Bolshevism, but because he feels that a stable Government in Russia can be developed step by step out of the Soviet."

"Mr. Borah has never been to Europe. . . . It is important that Mr. Borah be allowed to learn as much about Europe as possible on the occasion of his visit."

Gods have ambrosia for breakfast. Kings, presumably, have tarts. Presidents, New England Presidents, have whole-wheat and whole-rye cereal. This was the breakfast order that President Coolidge sent to the chef of the New Willard Hotel, his temporary Washington home. The Willard had none. Washington had none. But the Department of Agriculture's experimental station at Arlington, Va., obligingly cut and thrashed a little wheat. Virginia farmers furnished rye. Mixed 50-50, the new dish was prepared at the Willard, a breakfast fit for a President.

"The most pathetic figure " at the funeral ceremonies of President Harding, was, according to one press report (the Daily News, New York), not Mrs. Harding, but Attorney-General Daugherty. "He nearly collapsed. . . . His stalwart body was convulsed with sobs . . . His face twitched ... He poked at his eyes with his black gloves in an effort to stem the tears ... He was a picture of desolation . . . He gulped and choked and would not look at the coffin."

The Times (London), printed an announcement that British underwriters had been offered a premium of $30,000 by Americans for a $500,000 insurance policy against the election of Henry Ford to the Presidency in 1924. The underwriters believed the premium was too low, but are investigating.

Unbolted from the floor of the Senate, the historic mahogany desks of that chamber were removed temporarily while repairs were made on the floor. The desks are almost identical in construction, except one which has no hinges. This desk will be replaced for the use of Senator Lodge majority leader. Senator Lodge has no objection to hinges. But Senator Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, its former user, did not like hinged desks.