Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-08-09

The President was as insistent as ever
that this country should keep out OF
the league. but believed the court was
or would be Independent of the greater
organization. Against the advice of
some leaders of his party. he reiterated
this advice on several occasions. aud
his plan formed the subject of some
of his addresses on his last and fatal
trip through the West. He did mol
think 1t would split his party. and
boldly continued to advocate il. Not.
withstanding this, 1t was assumed to
be almost certainty that President
Harding would be renominated In the
Republican national convention of
1924.
Mr.. Harding's home life was ideal
save that he had no children. He and
Mrs. Harding. who was Miss Florence
King of Marion. were devoted to each
other and she was always his true
helpmate. both In Ohio and In Wash
ington. In the national capital Mrs.
Harding quickly made herself loved
by all with whom she came In contact.
more eager even than the President
to meet and mix with all kinds OF
people
His Western Trip.
President Harding's Alaska trip was
originally planned for the summer Of
1922. He inherited the so-called
Alaska problem" Alaska seemed 70
be on the down grade. with decrease In
population and mining output, threat
ened extinction of the fishing industry
and numerous other unfavorable
symptoms. The situation apparently
called for the establishment OF def
mite Alaskan policy. Various plans
were discussed, including transfer OF
control to the Interior department
from the score or more of governing
bureaus. President Harding's plans
for 1922 came to naught, but this year
he determined to get frst-hand infor-
nation. He was accompanied by Sec
rotary Work of the Interior depart
ment, Secretary Wallace Of the Agri-
cultural department and Secretary
Hoover Of the Department of Com
merce, all of whom are Immediately
concerned In the Alaskan situation.
The President left Washington at
the end Of June and Journeyed leisure
ly to the Pacific Northwest by special
train, making speeches at st. Louis,
Denver. Helena. Spokane and other
cities. Incidentally he visited two of
the national parks First he went to
Zion In Utah, the newest Of our ma
tional parks. which Is many-colored
gorge cut by the Rio Virgin. Next he
visited Yellowstone In Wyoming, Gre
ated in 1872, the first national park In
history and largest and most famous
of the nineteen parks Of our system.
Here he motored. boated, fished, fed
the bears and had good time. His
plans also included a visit to Yosemite
upon his return trip. but that was
abandoned.
Saw Much Of Alaska.
The President celebrated the Fourth
Of July In the United States and then
started for Alaska on the u. s. trans
port Henderson. His Alaskan trip was
extensive. He went the length OF the
new government railroad and visited
the capital. Juneau, and the principal
cities. He also was shown the best Of
the majestic scenery.
On his return trip Mr.. Harding
stopped off at Vancouver. creating
precedent in that he was the first
American President to step on Cana
dian soil.
The President arrived at Seattle
July 81 and reviewed from the bridge
of the Henderson fleet Of dozen or
SO battleships under command of Ad-
miral H. p. Jones, each Of which gave
him the national salute Of twenty-one
guns. Even then he was suffering
from the ailment that resulted in his
death, and soon after that the rest Of
his trip, which was to include return
to the East via the Panama canal. was
cancelled.
President Harding made public adj
dress at Seattle, setting forth his views
on the Alaskan situation. Some Of his
points were these:
ALASKA for Alaskans."
There is no need of government
managed, federally-paid-for dollhouse
development I. there must be no
reckless sacrificing Of resources"
ALASKA is destined for statehood In
few years."
where there is possibility Of better
ment In federal machinery OF admin
istration, improvement should and will
be effected"
Other conclusions presented by Pres
ident Harding were:
That generous appropriation should
be made for road building.
That the federal government should
be more liberal in encouraging the
technical, scientific and demonstration
work In agriculture.
That restrictions should be laid on
the fisheries and on the forests.
That the development Of the coal
mines uuaf await ffrno opd ooococ.s~ |