New-York tribune., 1921-01-23
Harding Starts
On HOusebOat
Florida Cruise
ssI'm Going to Have a Thun-
dering Good Time," Is Se-
cret He Irnparts to Core
spondents as He Sails
Mexico May Be Discussed
Senator Fall and Former
Ambassador Fletcher in
Party Experts OH Subject
From a sto1 Correspondent


ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla, Jan. 22--The
cruise of the houseboat Victoria in the
salt waters of the Indian River began
this afternoon after President
Harding had discarded a suit of golf
knickers and Norfolk jacket in favor
of the oldest clothes in his trunk-a
wrinkled. worn costume. The change
was made to refute the charge of Sena-
tor Albert Fall, his crony, that he re-
sembled a dude.
"Now, fellows" said Mr.. Harding, as
the newspaper correspondents crowded
about him on the deck of the Victoria
to say goodby, "I'll tell you a secret.
I'm going to have a laundering good
time"
Senator Joseph Frelinghuysen, of
New Jersey, owner of the houseboat,
limited that it was hts most immediate
ambition to see that this statement
of the President-elect should be full
filled. In reply to suggestion that
the craft might get stranded on a sand
reef and the entire company go hungry,
Senator Frelinghuysen said that he
would see to itithat the vessel was we'll
provisioned.
Two of Party Missing
Two of the invited company were
not on board when the busy crew of
five cast off the lines that made the
vessel fast to an oysterman's wharf on
the waterfront Of this ancient city.
i'll at Daytona, and it is not expected
that he will be, able to join the party.
Mr: Harding, however, is certain to
call on him at Daytona, for they are
close friends Senator Frederick Hale,
of Maine, was not on board, either.
He is expected to pick the party up
further down the east coast.
Besides Senators Fall and Freling-
huysen, Mr.. Harding's other compan-
Ions on this cruise will be Henry M.
Fletcher, former Ambassador to Mex
leo; Harry M. Daugherty, DR.. Ely, of
New York. and George B. Christian jr.,
the President-elect's secretary.
Mr.. Fletcher during the next two
weeks-Mr. Harding does not expect
to return to st. Augustine until Feb
ruary lis expected to give the Pres
ident-elect the benefit Of his perspec-
tive on Latin American politics.
Mr. Fletcher, Republican, did not
resign from the diplomatic service
when President Wilson assumed office,
but when Secretary of State Lansing
resigned Mr.. Fletcher also left. 1t is
not unlikely that Mr.. Harding will ask
him to return to Mexico when diplo-
matte relations are resumed. AS a
matter Of fact whenever Mr.. Harding
grows weary of playing during the next
two weeks he can 60 right to work
digesting important information about
Mexico and Central and South America
May See Bryan at Miami
This so-called houseboat of Senator
Freylinghuysen's is really a motor
cruiser and has the lines of yacht.
Her maximum speed is said to be about
seven knots an hour and she is not ex-
pected to do more than five on this
trip, which will take Mr.. Harding as
far South as Miami, where he may be
expected to exchange calls with William
Jennings Bryan: The Victoria is COM
rooms. The hull is white and the
super-structure mahogany. Interna-
tional code flags that snapped in the
warm breeze as the boat left the pier
to-day spelled Harding.
The party expected to anchor to-
night at Summer Haven and reach
ormond tomorrow. The golf course
there is especially alluring to Senator
DuI tO-uIOIIOW lS OUuQdy anu
he will not play. There will be round
of sgolf, however, at every other stop
on the trip if there is course.
Miles McCahill, a secret service man
Is aboard. Three others, headed By
Joe Murphy, will trail the household
along in an automobile, picking up the
party at every stop.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Jan. c5.-The
ep1oo sv, {v,So tn D~oosAo~<n1 Ia -
Harding's stateroom aboard his private
car, broken by rock believed to have
been thrown by q small boy, was re-
placed when the train stopped briefly
here to-day, en- route to St. Augustine
Mr.. Harding left his car only to shake
hands with friends on the rear plat
form and there was no demonstration
crowds being excluded from the depo
yard.
~ n Il II n u -
I0WER pQICES