New-York tribune., 1921-03-11
Harding Plans
Visit to Alaska
This Summer
Panama Trip Said to Have
Convinced Him of Value
Of First-Hand Informa-
ton on Current Issues
Congress May Interfere
Allied March Into Germany
Complicates Question of
u. s. Peace Declaration
From 1'ns Trtouns's wash;nosor gu,.uu


WASHINGTON. March To- Presi-
dent Harding is planning to visit
Alaska this summer, provided Congress
completes its extraordinary session be
fore the end Of July. 1t is understood
to be the intention Of the Chief Execu-
tive to visit the northern territory in
company with Mrs. Harding, Secretary
OF the Interior Fall and one or two
other congenial companions, sailing
from Seattle aboard a battleship.
To make this trip possible, however
it would be necessary for Congress to
railroad Its way through to adjourn
ment in much quicker time than most
leaders of the two houses believe is
possible. Senators Smoot and Under
wood, for example. who are normally
optimistic about early adjournments
predicted to-day that the extra session
would last almost until time for the
regular session to convene
President Harding is understood to
lean to the view, based on his own ex-
pericnce as member of the Senate
that little real legislative work is ac-
complished during the excessively hot
weather in Washington. It is said to
be his intention to endeavor to per-
suade the leaders Of both houses to
bring about. adjournment before the
end of July If this cannot be done a
summer recess is possible. alth ough the
urgent need for stabilizing tariff and
revenue bills might interfere with any
such program.
Values First-Hand Information
The Alaska trip found favor with the
President after his trip to Panama and
the Canal Zone had brought home to him
the vital necessity of intelligent han
ding of frst-hand information about
the problems of these outlying posses
sions.
The Alaskan idea has been mentioned
TO Republican National Committeeman
Mcbride, of Juneau, and he is strongly
IN favor of it, believing that if Presi-
dent Harding visits this little under
stood region a development will follow
that will rival the gold rush that came
near the end of the last century.
The President Is anxious for Con-
gress y begin its extra session at the
earliest possible moment. He discussed
the date to-day with Speaker Gillett
and Representative Fordney, who
agreed that it should be called neither
earlier nor later than April A.
Between now and the date the extra
session convenes President Harding
must prepare his message to Congress
which he now plans to deliver in per
son. as was the custom Of Mr.. Wilson
The President is hardly eager to be-
gin writing that message. From the
time he delivered his speech of accept
ance to the end of the campaign he de-
olared in his public utterances an in
tention to bring about peace with Ger
many by declaration. Now when he is
within less than a month of calling
Congress into session the Allies have
begun another march into Germany.
There is one phase Of MIR Harding's
message to Congress upon which he il
understood to have made up his mind
That relates to the care OF American
soldiers entitled to government relief
OF one form or another.
Galbraiths Ideas Approved
Colonel F. W. Galbraith, head Of the
American Legion, called on President
Harding to-day to urge him to do all
in his power to have all forms of SOL
dier relief brought under one head so
that a man who was entitled to COM
pensation, hospital treatment and voca-
tional education could arrange for all
three through single transaction.
Colonel Galbraith found the President
in complete sympathy with this plan
and also with his idea that the gov
ernment should 60 after the soldiers
who are entitled to relief instead OF
waiting for the cases of needy men to
work their way through channels
clogged with red tape.
The President had another confer
ence on this subject during the day
with Representative Sweet. of Iowa.
author of a bill which would bring
about the consolidation of all forms of
soldier relief.
The Hardings had their first really