11 AUGUST 1923, Page 2

Mr. Harding was often described as " a plain American,"

and the phrase may be taken to mean that, without knowing much of the outer world, he had all the good qualities of a man who loves his own country and works for it and his fellow-men without definitely aiming at personal distinction. Until seven years ago he had concerned himself only with the affairs of the State of Ohio and not so much with those as with his own town of Marion. He was large of body and of disposition ; his cheerfulness seemed to be unfailing, but though it made him liked of all men it may also have been the symbol of what. was lacking in him as a• statesman since he was inclined to lop off from his policies some of those vital parts which had startled his critics or were likely to cause strife. * * * *