Seward daily gateway., 1923-08-11
NEW YORK TIMES
 HAS BEST WR|TEUP
 OF OUTSIDE PAPERS
CoMMENDS OLD SETTLER ON HIS PoEM-VIEWS BIG GAME TROPHIES AND LOSES BET.
The New York Times

SEWARD, Alaska, After quiet day largely devoted to preparation ot the speech he will deliver in Seattle July 27, which will deal with Aaska's problems in the light of his observa- tions, President Harding sailed from Seward on the transport Henderson at an early hour this morning for wis its to Valdez and Cordova. It is his intention to make a side trip of eighty miles into the interior over the Cop per River and Northwestern Railway, before proceeding to Sitka, whence he will sail for Vancouver, British Col umbia, where he has an engagement to speak July 26.
 President Harding never appeared in more attractive light than during his walk through the streets of Seward to get little exercise before starting work on the preparation of his Seattle speech. He talked to everybody with that simplicity and charm of manner which makes friends for him. Those in the Presidential party who noted the president on many an occasion have been struck with his ability to please people when he comes in close person al contact with them. He always scores on these occasions. Seward was looking it's best during the Presidents stroll. The town nestles under preci- pitous green hills with snowy noun tains just across the impressive body of water called Resurrection Bay on which the town is situated. During his walk the President found inspirations for his Seattle address through chance meeting with S. Lundblad, Pioneer who conducts a fish market.
 Lundblad is more than sixty years old and has been in Alaska for thirty years He stopped the President when the latter was passing his fish mar. ket.
 Let me recite poem for you," said Lundblad who was in his shirt sleeves. Go ahead,' the President assented. and LundRlad launched forth into a poem which he recited in marked foreign accent with considerable dra- matic effect. The poem was a boost for Seward whose attractions were described in detail One verse follows: The bay is a rapture, our sense en-
 thralling,
 The inlet it is wonderful sea, The shores in their northerly verdure
 are calling,
 Inviting all men to be free. The ranges and crags give us pride;
 We admire the snow, the purest of
 white,
 The shimmering glaciers the sun set
 afire,
 Enhancing our thrills at the sights.
 That's fine" said President Hard ing, when Lundblad had finished, q should like to use it in my Seattle speech, Have you copy of it?"
 Lundblad had-many copies, in fact, printed on the back of postcards.
 This is splendid" remarked the President, when he read the poem from the post card transcript. q am going to read it at the end of my Seattle speech on Alaska. Who wrote it ?"
 Lundblad admitted that he was the author, and was complimented for his poetic ability.
 The President appealed to Lundblad to give expert testimony on whether red salmon or king salmon were the better fisR commercially. There had been a dispute during the walk be- tween the President and Harvey SuI- sivan, United States Marshal for the district on this subject, the president maintaining that red was more vaIu. able for trade purposes. Before meet. Ing Lundblad the President had ap- pealed to another fish man. whose shop he had entered after encounter. Ing Sullivan on the street. This shon- Keeper held that while king salmon was said to have the finer flavor the red variety was the better for conn mercial purposes.