The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-03-09
HARDING ON
WAY TO STATE
FOR VACATION

On Board President Harding's Spe-
cial Train, March 9.-(By the Asso-
| ciated Press. Refreshed by a good
nights rest, President Harding was
| looking forward enthusiastically to the
| first day of his vacation when he arose
| this morning aboard the special train
which is carrying the executive and
| his party to Florida for a weeks rest
! and relaxation. Since leaving Wash
ington late yesterday the Special had
made good time and early today was
| skirting the lower South Carolina
/ coast. It is scheduled to arrive at st.
Augustine, which will be the Presi-
dents vacation headquarters at 2
! o'clock this afternoon. The run
through Virginia and the Carolinas
was without incident.
President Harding and the members
of his party, which in addition to Mrs.
Harding, Secretary Christian and Brig.
Gen. Sawyer, his personal physician,
| includes Attorney General Daugherty,
Speaker Gillette of the House and I'm
| der Secretary of State Fletcher, all
appeared to be enjoying the trip i'm
mensely. The President intended to
go out for a round of golf when he
reached st. Augustine this afternoon.
While his vacation plans for the
week had not been announced early
| today, it was understood Mr.. Harding
! might take a trip down the Florida
coast as the guest of Edward B. Nc
Lean, publisher of the Washington
Post, on the latters house boat.
Elaborate precautions are being
taken by the Atlantic Coast Line Rail-
road officials to protect the special
train on which the President is travel
! ing. Every yard of track is being in
! spected by pilot train running
ahead of the special. with the general
road master of the line riding on the
rear of the pilot to make the inspec-
tion. No train is permitted to be op-
Grated or any switch turned in the
track between the special and pilot
trains. A picked crew of conductors
and trainmen is operating the special
and the general road foreman of en-
| gineers is riding in the engine cab.
One of the last things attended to
by President Harding before leaving
Washington yesterday was the pay
ment of his income tax His check in
cluded $4,000 as income tax on the
presidential salary.
On Board President Harding's Spe.
cial Train, Jacksonville. Fla, March
9.-(By the Associated Press.)-The
special train conveying President and
Mrs. Harding and their party to Flor
ida far a weeks vacation reached
Jacksonville shortly after noon today
and after brief stop to change en-
gines started on the last lap of the
trip to St. Augustine where it was
due at 2 o'clock. The president did
not leave his car during the few min
utes the special was here.
The first crowds of the day turned
out to greet the President as the spe-
cial passed through the small towns
in south Georgia and upper Florida.
and greetings were waved as the
train speeded southwark.
President Harding arose this morn.
ing at 80 o'clock and after break
fast talked for a short while with At.
torney General Daughterty and then
disposed of some work with Secretary
Christian. The President went over
some fifty recommendations for par
dons which had previously been
Ipassed on by the attorney general
but no decisions were announced.
The case of John McHenry Wash
ington, boy under sentence to be
hanged Friday, was again brought to
the attention of the President today
but after going over the documents
carefully the President found he could
not interfere with the sentence of the
court.
The presidential party plans to
spend tonight at St. Augustine and
tomorrow will board the houseboat oi
Mr.. Mclean, publisher of the Wash
ington Post. for a trip down the Flor
ida coast. Stops at several places
where the opportunities offer to gel
in some golf are probable.
Administration officials said today
that the President was seeking rest
and relaxation and therefore would bt
forced to decline all invitations tt
make speeches or attend their public
functions. They pointed out that i
is the first vacation Mr.. Harding hal
had in six months and that he hal
been at his desk for long hours daily
Both the President and Mrs. Harding
and the other members of the part.
are in fine spirits and looking for
ward to the relaxation from officia
duties for q few days.