The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1923-08-02
HARDING VISIONS
ALASKA A STATE
But Believes Development Must
Depend on Its People, Not on
Government Aid.
WARNS OF EXPLOITATION
President Gets Enthusiastic Reception
From Thousand on His Return to
Pacific coast-Reviews United
States Battle Fleet.

Seattle, ash.Greeted cordially
by tens of thousands of people who
had waited patiently for nearly four
hours for his delayed arrival on the
transport Henderson, President Hard
ing found much to please him In MS
Seattle reception. Seattle's greeting
was his welcome home to continental
United States after three weeks spent
in going to and returning from Alaska
and visiting ports and inland places
of that vast territory,
The delay In the Presidents arrival
here was due to several causes, among
them collision between the Hender-
son and the destroyer zeilin during
a heavy fog off Port Angeles, SO maui
tical miles from Seattle. The Hen
derson was uninjured, the Zeilin was
badly damaged and shipped much. wa
ter, but managed to keep afioat.
The Presidents arrival at Seattle
was preceded by a review Of the
United States feet assembled in FL
lott Bay, upon which Seattle fronts.
The Henderson, with the President
standing on the flying bridge, passed
between lines Of battleships, Destroy
ers and other vessels of the navy,
more than fifty in ALL There was
continuous booming of saluting guns
and the playing Of bands as the Hen
derson steamed slowly along. Each
ship was brilliant with display OF
vari-colored bunting. Bluejackets
manned the sides. 1t was scene no
less inspiring than picturesque.
More blueiackets and marines from
the fleet, thousands of them, we're lin
ed up on the pier where the Hender-
son locked, and along the streets in
the vicinity through which the Presi-
Dental party of motor cars passed.
With other uniformed contingents the
men of the fleet formed in the parade
which preceded the automobiles con-
tanning the President, Mrs Harding,
Speaker Gillett, the Secretary Of the
Interior and Mrs. Work, Secretary
Wallace, the Secretary of Commerce
and Mrs. Hoover and the others com
posing the official party.
Buildings along the route were deco
rated with flags and bright colored
bunting. Large portraits of President
Harding were displayed everywhere
Thousands of men, women and chill
dren, seemingly most Of the large
crowds along the Presidents process
sional progress, had small American
flags which were waved as the Presi-
Dental car passed. There was cheer
ing and handclapping along the way.
Before the Presidential procession
arrived at the University of Washing
ton Stadium, where he delivered his
principal address, the President and
Mrs. Harding received an enthusiastic
welcome from many thousands Of
Seattle school children and members
of the Mothers and Teachers Asso-
Citations at Volunteer Park. Great
bouquets of flowers were presented to
Mrs. Harding by the children.
At Woodlawn Park there was an
other demonstration. Here there was
a gathering of boys from all over
the State of Washington, brought to
Seattle by the Order of Elks. There
were many thousands of them. Esti-
mates of their number ranges as high
as $4,000. Certainly there looked to
be that many.
It was o'clock when the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Harding, escorted by
the Mayor and Mrs. Brown reached
the university stadium, where another
large crowd had assembled. His adj
dress there was devoted to Alaska.
What he said was devoted to COM
prehensive review of conditions in
the Territory rather than to Offering
any concrete program for bringing
prosperity to the territory. 1t was
apparent to those who had known
the Presidents attitude toward this
vast northern area before he made
his visit to it, that he had revised
his first impressions as to what he
believed was essential to its develop
ment.