The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1922-08-03
PRESIDENT HARDING IS
FOND OF AUTOMOBILING
AMONG FIRST TO GET CAR IN
MARloN-TAKES DAILY
DRIVE IN CAPITAL

According TO a Washington CORE
spondent, Warren G.. Harding prob
ably will go down in history as not
able for a number Of things but in
one thing particularly his fame al
ready is assured. He is the motor
INCEST chief executive who ever oc-
cupied the White House.
A few days ago he established a
record On his trip to Marion he
took a White House conveyance fur
ther inland than one has ever been
taken before. The president used
four White House cars on the trip,
and they were never-ending source
OF curiosity TO the crowds along the
roads. not 1 per cent Of whom prob
ably had even seen a White House
vehicle
If it were feasible the president
would do all his travelling by motor so
great is his love for it. For one thing
he says the air is better than a stuffy
railroad train; he can regulate his
own pace and il gives him a better
opportunity to see the country and the
people that are far removed from the
right Of way of a railroad Also, he
says he can think better in an auto
than in a railroad train.
Has Owned Many Cars.
Harding was one Of the first pur-
chasers OF an automobile in his home
town Of Marion, and he has had a
succession Of them since He used to
drive car himself but since he
came to the White House the oppress-
i've dignity of his office has compelled
him 10 forego IL. He confesses how
ever that occasionally his hand
itches to get hold of the wheel again
The late Senator Boies Penrose of
Pennsylvania used to be known as the
''motoringest" man in public life in
Washington; yet President Harding
would give him close race for hon
Ors in this direction. Penroses RED
Devil" was known for miles around.
Senator Jim Watson of Indiana tells
a story of Penroso's motoring. The
big boss" used TO go out in his car
when he wanted to think something
out when he had some problem that
was troubling him. He would sit in
the back seat and think while the mo-
tor roared through the country He
was not given much to talk
One Sunday. so the story goes, PEN
rose called up Senator Watson and
asked him if he wouldn't like to take
a little auto ride. The weather was
not exactly propitious, but Senator
Watson was familiar with Penroses
moods and he readily consented.
The Red Devil" with Penrose's
bulk in the tonneau picked up sena-
tor Watson at his residence.
How are YOU senator?" asked
Watson.
ugh" grunted Penrose.
Drove of Silently
They drove off silently. Mile after
mile was clipped off in total silence
Baltimore 40 miles away was reach
ed and passed. Wilmington faded
away in the distance and then came
Philadelphia. Not word had been
spoken. Penrose sat huddled in his
seat intent upon his own thoughts
Watson likewise was silent waiting
for the big fellow" to break the sill
ence
When Philadelphia was reached the (
chauffeur turned around.
Where to- senator?" he inquired
Washington" grunted Penrose.
The trip back to Washington. some /
200 miles. was made in absolute sill {
enee. Late at night the car finally !
drove up to Senator Watson's resi-
dence and Jim" got out.
Good might. jim" said Penrose.
While he was in the senate Presi-
dent Harding usually travelled from
Marion TO Washington and vice versa
by motor. It is run of some 500
miles While he was candidate Mr..
Harding thought nothing of leaving
Marion after his lunch. motoring to
Mansfield. some so miles away. play
ing IS holes of golf and motoring back
in time for late dinner
The motor car may have greater
addict than Warren Gamaliel Hard
ing, twenty-ninth president of the
United States. but if so he isn't in
public life in Washington