Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-21
HARDING SERENE
ON FLORIDA TRIP
Worked Hard While at Marion
and Now Is Ready for Com
plete Rest
REPORTERS IRRITATE HIM
ny the Associated Press

On Board President elect Harding's
Train, Jan. 21.--With his troubles
packed IN n kit bag that he intends to
keen tightly locked for at least two
weeks, President elect Harding turned
his thoughts to golf sticks and fishing
rods today as he journeyed southwark
for a vacation in Florida.
The association Of nations, tax re-
forms, the cabinet and all other topics
that have busted him during the last
six weeks In Marion are to be put as
far away from his mind as possible until
he has had good rest. His Marion
conferences frequently have kept him
active from early morning until late at
night. and the strain and lack Of cxer-
else have told materially on his physi-
cal condition.
Not once since his return from
Panama early in December has he been
able 70 visit his favorite playground.
the golf links. Walking has been his
only recreation, and ne has found little
time even for that.
A fishing trip down the eastern shore
of Floridn is to occupy the first two
weeks Of his stay in the South. 1t is
his hope to be completely isolated from
observation during the period though
he may venture forth once or twice to
play golf. Early in February he will
take up his residence at St. Augustine
Hotel. where he will remain until lust
before his inauguration.
Mr. Harding's private car, which left
Marion at midnight, went southwark
today attached to regular passenger
trains, and was 10 pass through Chat
= tanooga late IN the afternoon and reach
Atlanta during the evening. He will
arrive at st. Augustine Sunday.
Two who have been his companions
on all the trioS since his nomination
were not included in the party aboarC
the private car today.
Mrs. Harding remained behind 10 dis
pose Of personal affairs in Marion bu
will 20 to Florida after shopping tri,
to Washington and New York. Or. G
u. Sawyer, who accompanied the Pres
tdent- elect as personal physician dur
Ing the campaign and on the Pnnnm,
trip, is kept in Marion by business con
siderations, hut may Join the party be
fore II leaves the South.
Chicago. Jan. 21.-CBy A. PD-
Walter Dill Scott, president of North
western University and noted as ;
psychologist, last night gave out writ
ten statement on his return from a triI
TO Marion TO see Senator Harding abou
helping to open the Joseph Medill Schoo
Of Journalism, saying that he 'hac
found the President elect a vigorou!
man. with a firm hsndshake, resonant
voice and clear eye. ="
The statement added: Il found al
optimistic man in Mr.. Harding whel
he assumed the part OF newspaper
editor and a champion Of ethical anc
religious leadership. He knew that
ann0ht nnlit;nol ~ 81
had sought his advice on educa atior
In journalism. To such an appeal h,
responded in the neighborly way tha
has 80 universally characterized his ac,
tions and endeared him to American
'Mr. Harding. as President elect
when surrounded by reporters and poll
ticians, Is quite unlike Mr.. Harding
the educator and editor. For month
he has been bounded by reporters seek
ing a sensational story and by politi
clans seeking favors. II is not strang
that his delicate sensibilities have be
cbme sensitive. Every approach Of
reporter or politician has become 4
him like a blow to an open wound
His whole being assumes an attitude o
defense. Fortunately his sturdy cousti
tuition has not broken and il is reason
ably certain that the irritability an
the sensitivenesS OF his nervous system
will disappear before he emergcs from
the Indian river region.
II was 10 fascinated by his remi
niscences and by his enthusiasm for tn
cause of journalism that failed t
make adequate mental notes of all tina
Mr.. Harding said but the following sen
tences found place in my memory;
" The American press has not live
up TO its responsibilities in modin
the thought of the people. 1t has lin
ited itself too much to dispensing sen
sational news and TO making money. I
has been influenced more by commercial
than by ethical standards. II is yer
important that all available agpnCie
should combine 10 elevate not only tn
Ideals, but also the practices Of IN
American press.