The Wrangell sentinel., 1923-07-12
President Harding
 Visits Wrangell
Chief Executive and Party Arrive Here Early Monday Morning With
 Ideal Weather Prevailing

The Presidential party arrived in Wrangell early Monday morning on the transport Henderson under con yoy of two torpedo boats.
 The Henderson anchored in the harbor near the dock, and at o'clock the party came ashore in launches. The first launch brought number of newspaper and camera men. The second launch contained the President and Mrs. Harding, to- gether with three cabinet officers and their wives. and other high of- ficials of the government.
 The moment the distinguished visitor stepped onto Grants float they were greeted by the reception committee headed by Acting Mayor George H. Barnes. Without any de- lay the party marched to the court house, where, standing at the foot of the steps, the President was of- ficially welcomed by the Rev. Rob- ert Joseph Diven D. D.
 Address of Welcome
 The address of welcome was on behalf of the citizens of Wran yell and Petersburg. The speaker ex pressed pleasure and satisfaction that the chief executive and other important heads of the government had come to see for themselves the land that has too often been pre- sented as land of snow and ice. He admitted, however, that we do have ice, saying that from La Conte glacier we obtain ice infinitely older than the Ten Commandments, and that the fish shipped from this port are packed in this glacial ice. He said: We do not claim this is the best country in the world, but if God ever made fairer we do not know of it." He said further that Alaska is peopled by loyal American citizens who believe they can rely on the constructive statesman nship of President Harding for a satis- factory solution of the problems confronting Alaska. Dr. Diven clos, ed his short address with a bear story which was humorously illus trative of the ridiculous situations that arise under bureaucratic rule. He told of the black and the brown bear of Alaska being under two diff ferent departments, and that it hap pened the heads of these two de partments were out in the woods to- gether when they came upon two bears. The men at once became in terested in trees. The man up one tree called out to the man up the other tree, Say, Bill, which bear are you protecting?" The reply was T don't know; which one are you protecting ?" The answer came. "I don't know" And the bears them- selves seemed bit puzzled to know the answer. He said we would be quick to resent any inference that we had any objection to the heads of these two departments-or all 37 of them-coming down from the trees and taking charge.
 Governor Scott c. Bone then in troduced the President, who receiv- ed an ovation that was a splendid expression of loyalty and admira- tion. ls
 The President Speaks
 being in Alaska, and in Wrangell, the President stated that he was not going to make speech at this time regarding any proposed measures for Alaska, but would wait until he had seen more and been more fully advised regarding the conditions in the north and the needs Of the peo- pie here. The keynote of the Pres ident's address was the single word, Understanding" He said there were not many troubles, wrongs or evils that could not be remedied by un- derstanding, and that he had come to Alaska as an apostle of under standing" Understanding, he said, is what the world and the nation most need.
 The President expressed hispleas- ure at seeing the American Legion in evidence, and at the conclusion of his remarks there was prolonged ap- piause.