Evening star., 1922-03-19
PRESIDENT TO TAKE
UP OTHER SOLDIER
| AID BEFORE BONUS
Conference Scheduled for To-
night on disqualification and
/ Vocational Training.
ARRIVES HOME TODAY
FROM VACATION TRIP
Mr.. Harding Will See House Lead
ers Tomorrow-Still Holds to
Sales Tax Plan.
By the Associated Press

By the Associated Press
ON BOARD PRESIDENT HARD
1NG'S TRAIN, Near Savannah.
Ca, March 1s.-President Harding
will take up. ahead of the soldier
bonus. two phases of government aid
for former service men when he re-
turns to Washington tomorrow, name
", disqualification and vocational
training. These will be discussed at
the White House conference Sunday
night between the President, Director
General Forbes of the Veterans Bu--
reau, Brig. Gen. Sawyer, Gen. Dawes
and officials of the American Legion
in Illinois.
The President has no engagement
with the House republican leaders as
yet to talk over the soldier bonus sit
uation. it became known today, and
will not see them until Monday
No Comment ON Bonus.
The President today declined to
! comment on the soldier bonus situa-
ton as reported from Washington,
and was said to feel that any ad-
vance statement on any conference
he may have with Chairman Fordney
and other House republican leaders
Monday on the subject would be i'm
proper.
The President is known to retain
the same position on the bonus as
outlined in his letter to Chairman
Fordney, which was enactment of a
| sales tax or postponemeut of the leg
islation.
Mr.. Harding was consulted by Secre-
tary DENLY over the long distance
telephone at St Augustine on the
Navy fuel situation it was asserted
and was understood to have told MIR.
DENLY to carry out the intentions of
Congress and practice all the economy
In fuel possible. The Navy Secretary
was said to have felt that tho $6,so0.-
600 appropriation for fuel for the
Navy for the rest of the fiscal year
was insufficient and it would hardly
be possible to keep the Navy steam
ing. Mr.. Harding is understood to
have suggested that everything prac-
ticable be done to carry out the wish
es Of Congress without crippling the
Navy.
Informed OF BattIeships.
The Navy Secretary also told the
President. it was said, the situation
concerning the West Virginia and the
Washington. and of the final decision
to order the completing of the West
Virginia, now building at Newport
News. Va, because it was nearer COM
pletion than the Washington.
Mr.. Harding will be unable to make
the trip to Alaska until Congress I'd
journs, 1t was declared, although he
feels that it would be well worth
while to get first hand Information
as to conditions in the territory The
President is very much interested
In Alaska and desires 20 do every
thing possible to make it prosper.
Should Congress remain in session un-
til the first of August. it would then
be too late for the President 20 make
the trip, administration officials With
the party said.
The President will make 40 cam
paign speeches this year. it was add
!
in the near future. however, one at
the unveiling of the Hamilton monu-
ment, the Grant Memorial in Ohio,
and the Lincoln Memorial in Washing
| ton.
Speaks With Train Crew.
Mr.. Harding, during the few min
utes the presidential train stopped
at Jacksonville to change engines,
walked forward and shook hands
with the engineer. fireman and mem
bers of the train crew. He was cor
I daily greeted and the engineer on
| the train north from Jacksonville
was told by the President to take his
time.
II will be careful" the engineer re-
piled as the Chief Executive shook
his hand and wished him well.
Accompanying the President home
is Under Secretary of State Fletcher.
who said he had about two days
work to do after reaching Washing
ton before relinquishing his presea:
position. Mr.. Fletcher said he ex-
pected to leave the first of ncXt
| month to take up his duties as am