The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-03-06
HARDING HAS
FIRST DAY in
WHITE HOUSE
Has Taken Hold of Business of
the Country in Earnest
Sets Fast Record
OPENS GATES TO PUBLIC
FIRST SINCE WAR OF 1917
Suggestions About Special Ses-
sion of Congress Discussed
With Senator Lodge.
tey The Associated Prsss).

WASHINGTON, March 5-President
Harding's first day in the white house
set 4 fast record OF presidential ac-
tivity and about covered the whole
range OF experiences 20 which chief
executives ordinarily fall heir.
Beslde8 dispatching his first diplo-
matte uBte. he found time to inquire
into the condition OF every one of the
government departments, canvass the
situation in congress, consider the re-
organization of the national political
machinery of his party, dictate a big
sheaf OF letters, shake bands with
several hundred of his fellow citizens.
install a new white house mascot and
attend the theatre. While he was at
work an order he issued yesterday
opening the white house gates to the
public gave a new touch of life to the
executive offices and grounds. For
the first time in NOR tbs visitors flock
ed In hundreds to the white house
doors and into the receiving room Of
the presidents office. presenting
picture in striking contrast to the
quietude OF the closing days of the
Wilson administration.
Begins Work Early
" r..
Before nine o'ciN<k he was at his desk
and was wadlnR# Through the first.
hatch % mail ocarss A. ~ attention
AS chief execut tixs srefA an 'aour's
dictation he began succession or
conferences with his newly installed
cabinet officials and kept to an ur
broken schedule of appointments WIN
members OF his official family ana
others until 1890 when he took an hour
for lunch with members of his FAMILY
In the afternoon he and Mrs. Harding
held their first reception in the East
room. standing for more than two
hours while guests. invited and unin-
vited. passed by In line.
Tonight the president and first lady
Of the land chose a musical comedy
from among the theatrical attractions
of the capital. II was their first pub
lie appearance since the inauguration
,rha cabinet member with whom Mr..
Harding conferred longest was Chas'
u Hughes, his new secretary of state,
win whom he discussed the note to
panama and Costa Rica. With most
Of the other department heads he
merely talked over general CONDITIONS
and problems OF organization, asking
for information about any problem
that seemed likely tp become trouble
some. The conversations netted him
several pages of closely written MEM
oranda, jotted down for future atten-
lion during his talks with the men he
had called to his official circle of
counsellors.
Has Silent Friend.
The presidents mascot, n blooded
airedale pup. named Caswell Ladd!e
Rov. was brought into the executive
offices as a gift by Charles w. Que
tesche. or Toledo. Ohio. The dog ar
rived IN the midst of the cabinet con
ferenees. but Mr.. Harding had given
orders that he was TO see 1t as soon
as il was delivered. With many
manifestations OF pleasure he led his
new pet into his office. where 1t made
!. itself at home during the morning.
Later the president brought Gas
we'll Laddie Boy" out and proudly ex'
hibited him to group of newspaper
correspondents gathered outside his
office.
You see" he said laughingly, Il an
Going to have near me at least one
.to,,a xvho won't talk"